Can i get Child credit for not working for 2024 ..2025 no income but raised them?

Forum|Forum|2 months ago
March 21, 2026
2 replies
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I'm a grandma that haven't worked in the last 2 years but always claim these three Independents since birth can I claim the child credit even though I don't have no income for these 2024 and 2025

TurboTax Online

MindyB

Level 13

No, you cannot claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) if you have $0 in earned income for 2024 or 2025.

While you meet the relationship and residency tests as a grandmother, the "refundable" portion of the credit (the part that sends you a refund when you owe no tax) requires a minimum of $2,500 in earned income (wages or self-employment) per year. Without any reported earnings, the credit isn't available.

xmasbaby0

Level 15

Sorry----the refundable additional child tax credit is based on having income from working. If you did not work you are not eligible for that child-related credit. There was one year----and only one tax year--- 2021--- for which you could get the child tax credit even if you did not work. The law changed back to the original child tax credit law after that year. Sorry.

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