How to get child credit, since my kid does not have SSN?

[Prabuddha7]

How can I claim the Child Tax Credit if my child does not have an SSN? I am an immigrant on a J1 visa. What is the process for obtaining an ITIN for my child? Do I need my child's ITIN before filing my tax return, or can I apply along with the tax return? Additionally, does TurboTax assist with obtaining an ITIN?

[pk]

@Prabuddha7 , Namaste ji

(a)  Assuming that you are a Resident for Tax purposes and therefore filing a form 1040  ( not 1040-NR ), --  you will need a Tax ID -- TIN  ( SSN or ITIN ) for  each member on your return.

(b) Generally, you have to file by mail to get the ITIN ----  you prepare the return using dummy TIN  ( use something  123-45-6000 ) to keep  TurboTax software satisfied.  When all done / passed all the checks, select to file by mail.  Print out the return,  and replace the dummy TIN with   " N  R  A ".  Sign, Date ( if you are filing joint then both you and your spouse must sign.

(c) Download the ITIN application -- W-7 and instructions from the  IRS site.  Fill this out for each person on the return that do not have a TIN.  Attach all the documentation required ( as shown on the instructions for W-7 ).

(d)  Mail the whole collection  -- Return + W-7 + attachments to the IRS.

 This should allow IRS to issue  ITIN retroactively for the  current year.  You child tax credit is limited because of no SSN.

Does this help ?   Is there more I can do for you ?

Namaste ji

pk

[Opus 17]

Your child is not eligible for the $2000 child tax credit unless they have a SSN that is issued before the deadline of your tax return, meaning April 15, or October 15 with extension.  If your child is eligible for an SSN, apply for it and wait to file your return, and get an extension if you need one.

If your child is not eligible for an SSN, they are not eligible for the $2000 child tax credit.  They can get the $500 credit for other dependents, but the child must have an ITIN when filing an on-time tax return.  In this case, you can use a fake ITIN in Turbotax to get past the interview (try 999-88-9999), then print the return and use some white out to block the fake ITIN and leave it blank.  Mail the tax return along with the W-7 application and other documents to the IRS.  After the IRS issues the ITIN, they should process the tax return with the number and give you the $500 credit. 

[Prabuddha7]

But do I need to mail the original documents (daughter passport) to IRS in that case to get ITIN? or visit Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) with my daughter's passport along with the w7 form? 

[pk]

@Prabuddha7  agreeing with my colleague @Opus 17 , for detailed response,  I would  strongly urge a visit to the local; IRS office with the originals, copies  and W-7.  They could certify the  veracity of the documents and then you follow the above mailing procedure..

Should work.

Namaste  Prabhu ji

[James Iglesias]

But If my son didn't have his SSN during 2024, I wouldn't be able to claim the CTC for that year.  I applied for his SSN in March 2025 and my son was born on july 2024 would I be elegible to claim the CTC for 2024?

[James Iglesias]

I found this Does my child/dependent qualify for the child tax credit or the credit for other dependents? | Inter...

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

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@James Iglesias wrote:

But If my son didn't have his SSN during 2024, I wouldn't be able to claim the CTC for that year.  I applied for his SSN in March 2025 and my son was born on july 2024 would I be elegible to claim the CTC for 2024?

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If you have the child's SSN before you file an "on time" tax return, they are eligible for the full $2000 child tax credit.  So you need to wait to file your 2024 return until after the SSN is issued, and if it is not issued by April 15, you must get an extension so your return will be considered on time when you eventually file it.  (The new deadline would be October 15 and SSNs are usually issued faster than that.)   If you file without the SSN, or you file after the SSN but the return is late because you did not get an extension, they are only eligible for the $500 credit for "other dependent."

(Also, be sure to indicate the child lived with you "the whole year" which is the correct answer for a newborn no matter when they were actually born.)