Can i get Child credit for not working for 2024 ..2025 no income but raised them?

[sadlady0]

I'm a grandma that haven't worked in the last 2 years but always claim these three Independents since birth can I claim the child credit even though I don't have no income for these 2024 and 2025

[MindyB]

No, you cannot claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) if you have $0 in earned income for 2024 or 2025. 

While you meet the relationship and residency tests as a grandmother, the "refundable" portion of the credit (the part that sends you a refund when you owe no tax) requires a minimum of $2,500 in earned income (wages or self-employment) per year. Without any reported earnings, the credit isn't available.

[xmasbaby0]

Sorry----the refundable additional child tax credit is based on having income from working.  If you did not work you are not eligible for that child-related credit.    There was one year----and only one tax year--- 2021--- for which you could get the child tax credit even if you did not work.   The law changed back to the original child tax credit law after that year.   Sorry.