child dependent credit

[user17706856924]

I am doing my taxes and turbotax is showing the side by side comparison of my deductions and credits from 2024 and now 2025.  Last year I received $3000.00 for child and dependent tax credit.  This year it is 0.  I still have 3 kids, ages 16, 18 and 18. (twins) and they live with me.  I have reviewed the entries in turbo tax about each dependent and nothing is different.  Why I am getting nothing?

[DoninGA]

Those who are age 17 or older are not eligible for the child tax credit.  They are only eligible for the $500 Other Dependent credit.

Go back to My Info on the left side of the online program screen. Edit the dependent and carefully check your answers to the questions.

Make sure you select them as your Child, that you selected that they lived in your home for the Whole Year, temporary absence for education is deemed living in your home. That they did NOT provide over one-half of their own support (You Did), that you indicated there was no one else in the household providing support to them, and that you did NOT check the box labeled Not valid for employment in the Social Security number section.

If all your answers are correct then delete them as a dependent and re-enter.

[DoninGA]

Additionally, you must have at least $2,500 of earned income entered on the tax return to be eligible for the child tax credit.

[SharonD007]

We can't answer why you're not receiving the Child Tax Credit (CTC) because we can't see your tax return but I've provided some information below that may explain it.

The maximum amount of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is $2,200 for each qualifying child, and the maximum refundable additional Child Tax Credit is $1,700. To be eligible for the full amount, your modified adjusted gross income has to be under $400,000 for Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widower and $200,000 for all other filing statuses. If your income exceeds the threshold, your CTC is reduced. In order to qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit, you must have more than $2,500 in earned income. The additional Child Tax Credit is up to $1,700 per child based on your income.

If you have children that are older than 16 at the end of 2025, they don't qualify you to get the CTC, but you may still be eligible to get the   $500 non-refundable credit for Other Dependents instead.

In addition to the requirements listed above, you child must meet the following eligibility requirements to qualify for the Child Tax Credit.

• Be under 17 by 12/31/2025
• Be related to you (child, stepchild, foster or adopted child, sibling, or descendant of any of them)
• Have a Social Security Number that makes them eligible for work in the U. S.
• Lived with you for more than half of the year
• Be a dependent on your tax return
• Didn't provide for more than half of their expenses
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien.

For more information, refer to the TurboTax Help articles: Child Tax Credit: Top 8 Requirements for 2025-2026, What is the Child Tax Credit?, and What is the Additional Child Tax Credit?