My son is listed as a dependent on my taxes. He's 3 years old and has been living with me the whole year. But it won't let me file child tax credit for him.

[xmasbaby0]

Have you entered the income you earned by working yet?

[bcv3395]

Yes I already submitted my w-2

[bcv3395]

It says I'm not eligible for this tax credit. But I've been claiming my son every year with no problem. Lol I'm just going to H&R Block cause I'm not getting any help from TurboTax???

[xmasbaby0]

How much was in box 1 of your W-2?

[Texas Roger]

What do you mean "I already submitted my W-2"? I hope you didn't efile your return already.

[bcv3395]

Box 1 is about 1400. And no I didn't efile

[xmasbaby0]

You did not earn enough to get the child tax credit.
Look at your 2018 tax return to see the child-related /dependent credits you received:
Child tax credit line 12a
Additional Child Tax Credit line 17b   (schedule 8812)
Credit for Other Dependents line 12a
Earned Income Credit (EIC) line 17a
Child and Dependent Care Credit line 12     (comes from Schedule 3 Form 2441)

The dependents you listed are on the first page of your Form 1040 below your address.

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[xmasbaby0]

If your earnings for 2018 were only $1400, perhaps there is someone else who supported you that can claim both of you as dependents.

[re2boys · Accepted solution]

You need at least $2500 in income to qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit.  With $1400 in income, your tax liability would be zero so the Child Tax Credit would also be zero (max Child Tax Credit is $600 or your tax liability)  The up to  $1400 Additional Child Tax Credit requires at least $2500 in earned income.

The rules and calculations were changed for 2018 under the Tax Reform passed by Congress.

See:  https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/family/what-is-the-additional-child-tax-credit/L4IBvQted

Edit:  Corrected income threshold to claim the ACTC

[Hal_Al]

@re2boys  - The threshold for ACTC, in 2018, is $2500, rather than the $3000 in 2017.

[re2boys]

Good catch Hal, thank you.