I have an appointment with the ssa to get a ssn for my dependent, but she doesn't have one now. How can I still claim her?

@biggpimpin13 

Since you have an appointment with the Social Security Administration to get a Social Security Number for your dependent, please refer to the answer by @Opus 17 . My answer below is for individuals you don't qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN).

If your non-citizen child dependent does not have a Social Security number (SSN), you'll need to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS for him or her.

Complete your return as you normally would, but leave the applicant's Social Security Number field blank and disregard any warnings about the empty field or missing health care info for the applicant.

When your return is finished and you get to the File section, select the option to print and mail your return, as you won't be able to e-file it. Mail your return, W-7, and supporting documents to:

Internal Revenue Service

Austin Service Center, ITIN Operations

PO Box 149342

Austin, TX  78714-9342

• See How do I get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

You can claim a non-citizen child as a dependent on your tax return, which would likely entitle you to a dependent credit, if the child meets the IRS definition of a "qualifying child." This is the same standard that applies to children who are citizens. Your child is a qualifying child if all of the following apply:

• The child is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister, adopted child or a descendant of one of these, such as a grandchild. Adopted and biological children are treated the same
• On the last day of the year the child is either younger than 19; a full-time student younger than 24; or permanently and totally disabled
• The child lived with you for more than half the year
• You provided more than half of the child's financial support during the year
• The child did not file a joint tax return with his or her spouse, if married, except only to claim a refund of taxes withheld or estimated taxes paid
• The child must be a U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or resident of Canada or Mexico.

[Edited 3-22-2021|6:48 AM PST]

If your child is eligible for a Social Security number, don’t file your tax return until you have the number, even if it means you have to file late. You will need to file form 4868 to get an automatic extension to October 15.

As a result of a tax law passed in 2015, your child is not eligible for the $2000 child tax credit or earned income credit or the recovery rebate unless you file an original on time return containing the child Social Security number.  Original means it must be the first tax return you file and not an amended return. On time means that the tax return must be filed before the April 15 deadline, or before the new May 17 deadline for 2020 tax returns, or before the extended October 15 deadline if you get an extension.  

If you file a tax return without the Social Security number and then amend later, you will not be paid any of the extra tax benefits. If you file after May 17 and forgot to file form 4868 before April 15, your return will be late and you will not receive the tax benefits for the dependent child.

if your child is eligible for a Social Security number, do not apply for an ITIN.