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New Member
posted Apr 12, 2021 11:58:32 AM

Why am I not receiving the same Child and other dependent tax credit i did last year?

Last year I received $4000 for my 2 minors and this year I only received $2500.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Apr 12, 2021 1:01:22 PM

the credit is $2000 for each child under 17 (let's keep this simple) and $500 once the child reaches 17. 

 

did you have a child who turned 17 in 2020? 

 

the new law does cover 17 years old at a higher rate, but that doesn't kick in until 2021

5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 12, 2021 12:12:04 PM

The size of your credit is based on how much you spend for child and dependent care, as well as your income. TurboTax guides you through the process of figuring your credit and fills in the proper form for you, but in general, it works like this:

  • Add up the total amount of your care expenses that qualify for the credit. The maximum amount of care expenses you're allowed to claim is $3,000 for one person, or $6,000 for two or more people.
  • If your employer gives you money to pay child care expenses, or if you have money withheld from your pay on a pre-tax basis, you must subtract this money received from your allowable expenses.
  • Compare your claimed expenses with your earned income and, if you're married, your spouse's earned income. Take the smallest of all these amounts. These are your "allowable expenses."
  • Your credit is a percentage of your allowable expenses. That percentage ranges from 20% to 35%. The higher your income, the smaller your percentage, and therefore the smaller your credit. There is no upper limit on income for claiming the credit.

-follow this link for additional information-

What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?

Level 15
Apr 12, 2021 12:22:23 PM

Are you asking about the Child Tax Credit, or the Child and Dependent Care Credit?

New Member
Apr 12, 2021 12:24:30 PM

The Child Tax Credit as I never had any dependent care write-offs.

Level 15
Apr 12, 2021 1:01:22 PM

the credit is $2000 for each child under 17 (let's keep this simple) and $500 once the child reaches 17. 

 

did you have a child who turned 17 in 2020? 

 

the new law does cover 17 years old at a higher rate, but that doesn't kick in until 2021

New Member
Apr 12, 2021 1:41:44 PM

Well that does it, one of my children did reach 17 in January of 2020. Thank you for that answer as I only saw if your child was under 18 you get the credit and not the caveat of reaching 17 we will steal 75% of your credit. Honestly nowadays dependents are living at home longer so the cutoff age should be increased just like the dependent medical insurance coverage age.