Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 1:49:45 PM

Can you claim a child without the parent having income? Child is under 18 with no income. Asking for a friend.

Child is 5 years old and they live in housing. She has no income and wants to know if she can still claim the child tax credit for her child.

0 6 510
6 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 1:49:48 PM

How does she support herself and child with no income? Is there another adult in the home?

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 1:49:49 PM

Child support from father and works under the table part time

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 1:49:51 PM

If she wants to get any child-related credits then she has to be on the up and up and report her self-employment income.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 1:49:52 PM

Work under the table must be reported on a tax return.  However, she should be aware that doing this could impact her govt housing.  Honesty is the best policy.

Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 1:49:54 PM

Without any earned income, there are no credits to get for having a child dependent.

Not applicable
Jun 3, 2019 1:49:56 PM

no credits and no reason to file.  as a matter of fact a return with $0 income can't be efiled and why waste money on postage