[Event] Ask the Experts: Extension Filers

If you had no taxable income you have no reason to file a tax return, nor would it help you to do so.   You do not have to file unless you have a  1095A for having marketplace health insurance.    If you did not work and earn any income, either W-2 income or self-employment income, then you are not eligible to receive refundable child-related credits like child tax credit or earned income credit.   If you had no self-employment income, you have no reason to file a Schedule C -- what would you enter on it?    What business expenses can you claim?

If you were supported by your parents then they might be able to claim you ---and perhaps your child-- as dependents on their tax return.    They could get the $500 credit for other dependents by claiming you as a qualified relative, and perhaps claim their grandchild as a qualifying child.

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependen

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2024 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
• You provided more than half of their financial support.