https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724255#M62458 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:29:05 GMT shaellagarcia13 2026-01-13T19:29:05Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724255#M62458 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:29:05 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724255#M62458 shaellagarcia13 2026-01-13T19:29:05Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724257#M62459 <P>If you do not have any earned income then you are not eligible for a tax refund, the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit.</P> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:30:43 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724257#M62459 DoninGA 2026-01-13T19:30:43Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724259#M62460 <P>If you have no income from working you are not eligible for any refundable child-related credits like child tax credit or earned income credit. &nbsp; It sounds like someone else can likely claim you and your child as dependents and get those credits as well as education credits if you are a full-time student.</P> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:31:50 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724259#M62460 xmasbaby0 2026-01-13T19:31:50Z https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724317#M62461 <P>The money you hear about people getting for just filing a tax return claiming kids requires them to&nbsp; have some earned income (wages or self employment). Without earned income, they are not eligible for the "refundable" Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.&nbsp; <STRONG>Both credits are calculated on the amount of earned income you have. </STRONG>No earned income means no "refund". A small amount of earned income means a small refund. The child tax credit does not "kick in" unless you have at least $2500 of earned income.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>A child can be the “qualifying child” dependent of any close relative in the household. If you live with someone else, e.g. your parents, it may be better if they claim your child.</P> <P>Instead, you could allow the non-custodial parent to claim the children.&nbsp; Non-custodial parents are allowed to claim the child tax credit, but not the Earned income credit.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>I<STRONG>f you are a student, over age 23, and are not claimed as a dependent by someone else (e.g. your parent) you may be eligible for the up to $1000 refundable American Opportunity (tuition) Credit. That credit is not dependent on having either kids or earned income. You must be at least a half time undergraduate student. There's even a loop hole available to claim the credit, if you are on scholarship.</STRONG></P> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:49:36 GMT https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/re-i-don-t-work-and-i-go-to-school-can-i-get-a-refund-i-also-have-a-dependent/01/3724317#M62461 Hal_Al 2026-01-13T20:49:36Z