Additional Child Tax Credit

[Lala1988]

Just to clarify, since my spouse did not make at least 2500 last year he does not qualify for the additional child tax credit? Even with three of our minor children added as his dependents the credit still doesn't apply which is sad and confusing... 

[Opus 17]

Spouse?  Are you filing a joint return?  What about your income? 

In general, you must have at least some income earned from working to claim the additional child tax credit.  Other forms of income don't count.  

[xmasbaby0]

What do you mean by "his" dependents?    Are you filing a joint return?    You should be filing a joint return and putting all of your combined income on a joint tax return so that you get the child-related credits for the dependents that you claim on the joint return.   Did YOU have income from working?    The refundable child-related credits are based on having income from working.

[Lala1988]

No he's filing head of household his income was at 1657 he couldn't work much due to health setbacks 

[DoninGA]

If you are filing as Married Filing Jointly then the income for both of you is used on the joint tax return.

Are you saying that you and your spouse do not have total earned income of at least $2,500 for the year?

[DoninGA]

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@Lala1988 wrote:

No he's filing head of household his income was at 1657 he couldn't work much due to health setbacks 

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If you are legally married and living together you can only file as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately.  Head of Household is Not an option.

[VolvoGirl]

If you are married and live together he can’t file Head of Household.  You should be filing a Joint return even if one spouse has no or low income.   

Here's a FAQ for Head of Household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/family/help/do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household/00/25539

Can a married person file Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/can-a-married-person-claim-head-of-household-filing-s...

[Vanessa A]

Correct, if your only income was less than $2,500, then no, you do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Did you work?  If so, then if your combined income is more than $2,500, then you would possibly qualify for the ACTC or CTC.  

If you lived in the same household as your spouse for any part of the last 6 months of the year, he cannot file as Head of household.  His options are married filing jointly and married filing separately

Can you provide more details about the situation?  Why are you not filing jointly?  Do you work?  Do you live together?  

[Lala1988]

I'm a homemaker due to 3 out of 5 of our children has disabilities... So he will have to file married but filing separate?

[Vanessa A]

If his only income is less than $2,500, and you have no income, he actually does not need to file unless he had taxes withheld and is claiming a refund of the taxes he paid in.

Check if you need to file a tax return

[Lala1988]

Thanks for the help everyone I appreciate it😊