My name is Brad, I am a 100% disabled U.S. military veteran and have been rated since 2016. I live outside the U.S. with my wife and children. We have a 2-year-old, a 6-year-old, a 15-year-old, and I also care for my adult disabled son.
All of my income comes from VA disability compensation (about $65,670/year), which I understand is non-taxable. I do not receive SSDI or military retirement pay.
Because we live in Jamaica, we pay out of pocket for medical care (about $300/month for me and $150/month for my family). My question is:
• Am I eligible to file a U.S. federal tax return even though all of my income is VA disability?
• If so, would I qualify for child tax credits (the $2,000 per child credit) even though my children do not currently have Social Security Numbers?
• If they need ITIN numbers instead, where do I apply for ITINs for my wife and children?
I want to confirm whether filing could allow me to claim dependents and receive any refundable credits.
