children with TD visa

[bubucar]

Hi, my husband is holding TN visa and i am the spouse with TD visa, i am unemployed in US but I have applied ITIN already. We have two kids holding TD visa, this year we plan to file jointly in order to claim the Child Tax Credit, but i just found dependents must have an SSN to claim instead of ITIN. Is it true? our kids with TD visa can only apply for ITIN, does it mean we can't claim child credit?

If that's the case, should we file separately? as I don't see a big difference filing jointly and separately?

Thank you.

[RobertB4444]

Yes, your dependents must have a social security number valid for employment in order to be eligible for the credit.  And in your situation the married filing joint and married filing separate options are not that different.  Married filing separate makes you unable to claim certain credits but you are ineligible for those credits anyway.

@bubucar 

[bubucar]

Thank you! So normally when married filed jointly, what other credits are eligible to claim apart from children tax credit?

[DawnC]

This article cover other credits available to you if you have dependents.   Child Credits