Can I qualify for child tax credit with no earned income?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You are not eligible for any refundable child-related credits if you have no income from working.

Sorry--you are not eligible for the additional child tax credit or earned income credit if you did not work and do not have a W-2 or self-employment income.

AND….If you have children but had  little or no income, it raises the question of how you and the children were supported.  There may be another tax-paying adult who can claim you and/or the children as dependents.  

[chrisg_ky]

You can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child who has a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States.

To be a qualifying child for the 2024 tax year, your dependent generally must:

• Be under 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew).
• Not provide more than half of his or her own support for the tax year.
• Have lived with you for more than half the tax year.
• Be claimed as a dependent on your return.
• Not file a joint return for the year (or filed the joint return only to claim a refund of taxes withheld or estimated taxes).
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or a U.S. resident alien.
• Must have a Social Security Number that is valid for employment and is issued before the due date of your tax return (including extensions).

You qualify for the full amount of the 2024 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.

$1,700

You can get the Child Tax Credit with no income, as long as your primary residence is in the U.S. fo...1. The refundable portion of the child tax credit for 2025 is $1,700, even with zero tax balance on you...2.