Child tax Credit 2018

[sreeharikv]

Hi All,

I have a question regarding the child tax credits for 2018. I have two children (One born Outside US with TIN Number stayed with me for full year 2018) and US Born child with SSN. In the "Child Tax Credit and Credit for other Dependent WorkSheet", Can I put 2 for 'Number of Qualifying children under 17 with required SSN? The consultant who prepared tax for me said I can claim CTC for my US born child only and I can claim Other dependent for my child with TIN Number? Is that true? If it is not true, Can I file an amendment  claim to fix this, once I filed already?

Thanks for your Help!

[NCperson · Accepted solution]

to claims the Child Tax Credit (up to $2000), the child must have a valid social security number. Further, they must be a US citizen, a US national or resident alien of the US. 

for the Credit for Other Dependents (up to $500) , the standard is lower as a ATIN or ITIN is permitted as well.

you can use the IRS web site application to determine for yourself 

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

click 'begin' at this website and answer all the questions.  

[sreeharikv]

Thanks..

Now I understood the changes.. In 2017, I can claim child with SSN/ TIN for Child tax credits. I did that too. 

Now, in 2018, if I want to claim the child for tax credit, she should have a SSN. Since she dont have a SSN and she is an iTIN holder,  I can claim her for Other Dependents only.  I think this clause  is not well explained anywhere and we will catch this only while doing the filing. 

Thanks Everyone!

[Chinkusabat]

I am not sure with this answer provided. It says a resident alien is also eligible for child tax credit. Resident alien is a person who is not a USA citizen and staying either as a Green card holder or Stayed in USA legally for the entire tax year. So in your case, I believe your child should be considered for the child credit of $2000. Please check with other tax consultants.

[Chinkusabat]

I am not sure with the answer provided. It says a resident alien is also eligible for child tax credit. Resident alien is a person who is not a USA citizen and staying either as a Green card holder or Stayed in USA legally for the entire tax year. So in your case, I believe your child should be considered for the child credit of $2000. Please check with other tax consultants.

[NCperson]

Rather than “guessing”, I posted the official IRS app that will take you through all the tests to determine whether the child is eligible for the credit


See the link further up in this thread

[sreeharikv]

Thanks all for the various answers. I double checked with some consultants in my local area and most of them agrees to what said above. CTC is only for dependents with a valid SSN (not ITIN Holders). 

[ashlucky]

Would SSA provide a SSN for this purpose only?