You can get the child tax credit and/or additional child tax credit on any tax return for any year that you file if you have enough income and if you claim a child as a dependent under the age of 17. You may also qualify for earned income credit with only $1 of earned income. You cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else and get these credits.
What source of income do you have if you are not working? Are you living with someone else who can claim you and your child as dependents?
