topic Why does it say I don’t qualify for a return if I have dependents? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Why does it say I don’t qualify for a return if I have dependents?

ltt994 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:17:26 GMT

I have two children as dependents but it is saying a don’t qualify for a return

Re: Why does it say I don’t qualify for a return if I have dependents?

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:18:41 GMT

Have you entered any income you earned from working? If not, then you are not eligible for child-related credits for a 2022 tax return. Employers have until the end of January to issue your W-2--wait until you have entered your W-2(s).

The rules for getting the child tax credit on a 2021 tax return and now on a 2022 return are very different. For 2021 you could get $3600 for a child under 6 or $3000 for a child between 6 and 17 even if you had no income/did not work. That is NOT the way it will work for your 2022 tax return. The “old” rules are back. The maximum amount of the child tax credit is now $2000; the refundable “additional child tax credit” amount is $1500. In order to get that credit, you have to have income from working. The credit is calculated based on the amount you earned above $2500 multiplied by 15%, up to the full $1500. If your child is older than 16 at the end of 2022, you do not get the CTC. But you may still get the non-refundable $500 credit for other dependents instead.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900923-what-is-the-child-tax-credit

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-for-other-dependents

Re: Why does it say I don’t qualify for a return if I have dependents?

NCperson — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 21:29:11 GMT

@xmasbaby0 - I'll wager this will be the #1 asked this tax season..... you'll get tired of the copy / paste before it's all done. Feel free to incorporate my posts on the detail on how CTC and Add'l CTC are calculated.

Separately, the calculations for EITC didn't change (other than slightly adjusted for inflation), but those under 25 and over 65 without children are not elgible as they were uniquely in 2021.

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