Should a significantly handicapped toddler be considered "disabled"?

[mrsmehitabel]

TurboTax explains this field as "unable to work"- but I'm unsure how this relates to young children. She obviously doesn't have a job! She has a genetic condition that comes with significant deformities and health problems. She does qualify for state health coverage based on disability.

[DoninGA]

You can indicate the child is disabled but it will have no effect on your federal tax return if the child is under the age of 19.

IRS definition of disabled -

A person is permanently and totally disabled if, at any time in 2021, the person can't engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental condition and a doctor has determined that this condition
has lasted or can be expected to last continuously for at least a year or can be expected to lead to death.

[xmasbaby0]

Do I get a credit or deduction if my child is disabled?

If your child is older than 12 and you need to pay someone to take care of him while you work, you can say he is disabled and you can still get the childcare credit on your federal return.   Or if he is 19 or older you may still be able to claim him as a qualifying child dependent on your federal return.

Aside from those things, there is no federal tax advantage to saying that your child is disabled.   Your state tax laws might be different.