My son was 16 for most of 2025 (September) . Why can I not take the tax credit?

[cogtek]

Child Tax Credit is worth an additional $2000 and most other tax laws simply require 50% for dependent coverage or 6 months out of the year

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Sorry----being 16 for most of the year is not what counts.   If he turned 17 even on December 31, you will not get the child tax credit for him.   If he was 17 before the end of 2025, you get the non-refundable $500 credit for other dependents instead of the CTC.

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-f...

[MindyB · Accepted solution]

While your son was 16 for most of the year, the IRS determines eligibility for the Child Tax Credit based on your child's age at the end of the year (December). Since he turned 17 in September, he no longer meets the "under age 17" requirement for the full $2,000 credit regardless of how much support you provided. However, you can still claim the Credit for Other Dependents, which is worth $500, because he still qualifies as your legal dependent.