Other Dependents Credit issue for 17-year old

[jlfesh]

We don't qualify for the child tax credit because my son was 17 on 12/31/2025, but we do meet all of the criteria for the Other Dependents Credit.  No matter what information I put into TurboTax, though, it says we don't qualify for any of the child or dependent credits.  I spent so much time going through every little response that  I finally decided it was a glitch, cleared the entire file and started my taxes over to see if that would help (unfortunately it didn't).   I again confirmed all of the correct information was entered for his SSN and Birthdate, confirmed residency and dependency info was entered correctly, our income falls way under the threshold.  I saw others talk about income and student status being a reason why the credit wasn't coming up for them, but Turbo Tax help said I wasn't seeing an option for student status because of his age (calculated based on his DOB).  And nowhere does it give me the option to enter or even ask about his income. 

I just can't figure out what the issue is. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

[JohnB5677 · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, even though it's only a day, he won't qualify for the Child Tax Credit.

However, he may qualify for the $500 Credit for Other Dependents.

This credit can be claimed for dependents who:

• Are of any age, including those who are age 18 or older.
• Have Social Security numbers or individual taxpayer identification numbers.
• Are parents or other qualifying relatives supported by the taxpayer.
• Live with the taxpayer but aren't related to the taxpayer.
• Are U.S. citizens, nationals or resident aliens.

The credit begins to phase out when the taxpayer's income is above $200,000. This phaseout begins at $400,000 for married couples filing a joint tax return.

See the IRS article Understanding the Credit for Other Dependents

[jlfesh]

Thanks for your response. I know he definitely doesn't qualify for the child tax credit, but he does for the other dependents credit.  The problem I'm having is that Turbo Tax keeps saying he doesn't qualify and I can't figure out what it's seeing that is disqualifying him.  Any suggestions? I know other people have talked about checking off the full-time student box, but that box doesn't show up when I fill in the dependents information.  I'm at a loss.  Help!?

[xmasbaby0]

Make sure you have entered your child as a dependent in My Info, and that you have entered the child's Social Security number.    Careful— do not say that your child’s SSN is not valid for employment.  If your child was born in 2025 make sure you said he lived with you the whole year.  There is an oddly worded question that asks if the child paid over half their own support.  Say NO to that question.

[jlfesh]

Thanks for your response. All of that makes sense, but the problem is Turbotax says I don't qualify for the other dependent tax credits even though I know we qualify.  I don't know what information is indicating to TurboTax that we don't qualify and I don't know how to figure it out. I thought other people might be having the same problem.  I've seen people saying they needed to check the full-time student box, but my kid is 17 and they don't ask at his age. Any suggestions?

[AmyC]

Income does not matter for his age. I know you have been through the entry screens:

• US citizen, 
• lived with you all year, in the US, 
• not married, 
• Often chosen wrong -select no - did not pay more than half his living expenses, 
• Another spot to go wrong -SSN not valid for employment box is blank

When you look at form 8812, line 6 does not include your 17 year old so line 7 is zero instead of $500.

I have to wonder if something is stuck.  You may need to try deleting one then the other, If the program is still holding, reverse which gets deleted first. Follow these steps:

Online version:

1. Delete the child and Form 8812, if possible, see How to Delete  
2. Log out of your return and try one or more of the following:
   • Don't use Internet Explorer.
   • Clear cache and cookies,
   • Sign in using a different browser.
   • Sign in using a different device.
3. Log back into your return.
   • Enter the information again.

Desktop version: 

1. Delete the form 8812 and child
2. Save your return while closing the program.
3. Update the program
4. Open
5. Enter the information again.