Q. How do I claim a refund from the Federal senior citizen credit with no taxable income?
A. You can't. It's a non refundable credit.
If you're asking about some state credit, you need to identify the state.
There is a federal credit for the elderly or disabled (you don't have to be both). But because it has not been adjusted for inflation since 1983, very very few people qualify. If you qualify, TurboTax (TT) will automatically calculate it. It goes on Schedule 3, line 6d (2022-3). It is not a refundable credit. That is, you must have a tax liability to offset to get the credit. Very few people, with that little income have an actual tax to offset.
Having any social security income at all works against you. Essentially your potential credit is reduced by any tax you "shoulda paid” on the untaxed Social security income. If you have more than $5000 social security ($7500 Married Filing Jointly and both are elderly or disabled) or VA benefits you will not qualify for the credit.
If you think you qualify, and TT missed it, In TurboTax (TT), enter at:
Federal Taxes Tab
Deductions & Credits
-Scroll down to:
--Other deductions & Credits
-Elderly or Disabled credit
See schedule R for detailed calculations. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sr.pdf
A simplified rule of thumb is: if you have earned a social security benefit, including SSDI, you won't qualify for the Credit for the Elderly and Disabled.
