When I remove my kids from the tax return (they're not eligible for the Child Tax Credit) I instead owe federal $4k. Why?

[Mamaze]

Last year, the accountant we used had our children on our tax return, but did not claim the child tax credit, since they're not eligible without a SSN. Now, when I do not add them to the tax return, it says I owe federal $4k. Why is that, since we didn't get the child tax credit last year and don't want to claim it this year either, we shouldn't owe them anything as far as I understand. Can I remove the 8812 form from my tax return? Will that help?

Filing paper form so wan't to make sure I do it the right way.

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot get the child tax credit for children who do not have Social Security numbers.   If your children have an ITIN, you could get the $500 credit for other dependents---a non-refundable credit that can lower your tax due.   If they do not have an ITIN, then there is no point in listing them on your tax return.   You do not get any tax benefit from listing children with no ITIN or SSN on a tax return.

[xmasbaby0]

WHAT IS THE CREDIT FOR OTHER DEPENDENTS?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/family-tax-credits-deductions/500-credit... 

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

[AmeliesUncle]

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@Mamaze wrote:

Now, when I do not add them to the tax return, it says I owe federal $4k ... we shouldn't owe them anything as far as I understand.

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Why do you think you shouldn't owe tax?  What are your circumstances that you don't think you owe tax?

Just because you didn't owe tax last year doesn't necessarily mean your circumstances are exactly the same this year (and the changes could cause you to owe tax).

Did you originally prepare your current tax return WITH the kids and it showed a refund, and then you removed the kids and it changed to owing?  Or did you just originally prepare the current return without the kids and you are wondering why you owe (and have you tried entering the kids to see if anything changes)?