Why does it say i don't qualify for child tax credit and i have a son that is my dependant?

[TeresaM]

The Child Tax Credit has slightly different criteria than those to qualify as a dependent. Please check the table in the link below and if your dependent should qualify, review the Personal Info area of your return to be sure the answers are correct and complete. If for instance, they had turned 18 by the end of 2021, they will not qualify for the Child Tax Credit but might qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents.

Which tax credit does my child qualify for?

[Opus 17]

There are some common reasons why your child dependent might not qualify for the child tax credit. Check your TurboTax file carefully for these situations.

1. If the child was born during 2021, you should select that the child lived with you all year, even if they were born toward the end of the year. This is the correct answer for any newborn unless the newborn was subject to a custody order between parents who were divorced or separated and lived apart.

2. The child must have a valid Social Security number. If you did not enter the Social Security number or if you do not have one yet, you will need to wait until you get the Social Security number before you file your tax return.

3. The child must be age 17 or less on December 31. Double-check that you entered their birthdate correctly.

4. If you are living together unmarried with the other parent of the child, only one of you can claim the child as a dependent. The one who is not claiming the child should delete the child completely; they do not get any tax benefits. The parent who is claiming the child should say that the child lived with them all year and should answer “no“ to the question about whether there is a custody agreement. (This question only refers to legal custody arrangements between parents who are divorced or separated, and can lead to an incorrect result if you answer “yes“ thinking about an informal arrangement between parents who live together.)

[xmasbaby0]

@Opus 17 The criteria for the CTC used to be under age 17, but for ONLY 2021's CTC (unless Congress changes it again) the age limit for the CTC is under 18 at the end of 2021:

Q B3. Who is a “qualifying child” for purposes of the 2021 Child Tax Credit? (added June 14, 2021)

A3. For tax year 2021, a qualifying child is an individual who does not turn 18 before January 1, 2022, and who satisfies the following conditions:

1. The individual is the taxpayer’s son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew).
2. The individual does not provide more than one-half of his or her own support during 2021.
3. The individual lives with the taxpayer for more than one-half of tax year 2021. For exceptions to this requirement, see IRS Publication 972, Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents PDF.
4. The individual is properly claimed as the taxpayer’s dependent. For more information about how to properly claim an individual as a dependent, see IRS Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. PDF
5. The individual does not file a joint return with the individual’s spouse for tax year 2021 or files it only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid.
6. The individual was a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien. For more information on this condition, see IRS Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens. PDF