How does Child Tax Credit work?

Qualifying children are 16 or younger. Your family can be eligible even if you did not earn income or owe any income taxes. The credit does not count as income and will not affect your eligibility for public benefits.

Am I eligible for Child Tax Credit?

To be eligible for the credit in the 2022 tax year, you should meet these requirements: You earned $2,500 or more in 2022. Your earned up to $200,000 and up to $400,000 if you are married filing jointly. You’re claiming a child on your tax return who is: 16 or younger The child must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Adoption Tax Identification Number (ATIN). The filer may use an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Qualifying children must be your child, stepchild, grandchild, eligible foster child, adopted child, sibling, niece, or nephew. Your child or dependent lived with you for over half of the year in the U.S. and you are claiming them as a dependent on your tax return. Your child cannot provide more than half of their own financial support.

How do I Apply to Child Tax Credit?

File your taxes for free online with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file online. Complete Form 1040 . You will need to also complete Schedule 8812 to see how much of the Child Tax Credit you can receive. File your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file in person, or when you drop off your documents.

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

1. How it Works

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a credit worth up to $2,000 for every child that you claim on your 2022 tax return.

Qualifying children are 16 or younger.
Your family can be eligible even if you did not earn income or owe any income taxes.
The credit does not count as income and will not affect your eligibility for public benefits.

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

To be eligible for the credit in the 2022 tax year, you should meet these requirements:

You earned $2,500 or more in 2022.
Your earned up to $200,000 and up to $400,000 if you are married filing jointly.
You’re claiming a child on your tax return who is:
- 16 or younger
- The child must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Adoption Tax Identification Number (ATIN). The filer may use an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Qualifying children must be your child, stepchild, grandchild, eligible foster child, adopted child, sibling, niece, or nephew.
Your child or dependent lived with you for over half of the year in the U.S. and you are claiming them as a dependent on your tax return.
- Your child cannot provide more than half of their own financial support.

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

See a list of documents you’ll need to file your taxes and claim the CTC.

For each person applying, any one document:

Government-issued photo ID (includes IDNYC)
Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) determination letters (original, copy, or electronic document) and birth dates for you, your spouse, and your dependents

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

File your taxes for free online with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file online.

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Tax credit for families with children