Hello. I am a full time student who did not work this year. I am married with one child. Do I still receive my tax breaks even though I did not work?

[VolvoGirl]

You still file a Joint return with your spouse.  If they have W2 income or self employment income you can get the EIC.

[Bees]

You have to have at least 3,000 in income to receive a child tax credit.

The IRS lists the "additional child tax credit" and the "earned income tax credit" as examples; if you qualify for these credits, you can receive a refund even if you paid no taxes. To claim the credits, you have to file your 1040 and other tax forms. https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/can-i-file-an-income-tax-return-if-i-dont-have-a...

If you do need to file a tax return  check out the freefile program from Turbotax . See this link https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/

Spoiler

[Carl]

As an addendum:

I am married with one child

Be aware that your only filing choices are married filing separate, or married filing joint. If you file as separate, then you "AUTOMATICALLY" disqualify both you and your spouse for "ANY" tax credits. So your best option is to file joint, even if only one of you had income.

[xmasbaby0]

File a joint return.  If you file separately you do not qualify for education credits, childcare credit, or .earned income credit.

If you were legally married at the end of 2019 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $24,400 (+$1300 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

[Hal_Al]

Q. Do "I" still receive my tax breaks even though "I" did not work?

For taxes, there is no "I".  There is "We".  You file a joint return with your spouse, even though only one of you has any income. On your joint return, you (plural) claim an education credit, even though the only student did not have any income.  So, yes you get a tax break, but only if you file a joint return.  Together, you claim your child for the Child tax credit and the earned income credit (EIC), if your spouse has the proper amount of  earned income.