turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Can I still claim the Child Tax Credit if I didn't have any self-employment income in 2023?

It is my understanding that I can still claim the Child Tax Credit with no income. I think it's $2000, with up to $1600 refundable. Is that correct? I have joint custody of my child that lives with me more than 50% of the time and I alternate years with the other parent claiming them on my taxes. 2023 would be my year.

 

When I was working, I was self-employed. So, when my contract ended I did not collect any unemployment. I used TurboTax self-employed edition. Now that I didn't earn any income, do I still have to use the self-employed edition or can I just use the standard edition? I don't have a business license, I just file using my name.

x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

3 Replies

Can I still claim the Child Tax Credit if I didn't have any self-employment income in 2023?

You are incorrect ... the "no income" allowance was ONLY for the 2021 tax return.  If you have no income in 2023 then the kids do nothing for you ... you may let the other parent claim them so the credit is not completely lost. 

Hal_Al
Level 15

Can I still claim the Child Tax Credit if I didn't have any self-employment income in 2023?

Q. Do I still have to use the self-employed edition? 

A. No. 

How to downgrade, in turboTax:  https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/can-i-downgrade-to-a-lower-priced-version-of-turb...

 

The money you hear about people getting for just filing a tax return claiming kids requires them to  have some earned income (wages or self employment). Without earned income, they are not eligible for the "refundable" Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.  Both credits are calculated on the amount of earned income you have. No earned income means no "refund". A small amount of earned income means a small refund. The child tax credit does not "kick in" unless you have at least $2500 of earned income.

Can I still claim the Child Tax Credit if I didn't have any self-employment income in 2023?

Sorry----the only year for which you could get the refundable child tax credit was tax year 2021.  The "old" rules are back.  If you do not have income from working, you are not eligible to get refundable child credits like earned income credit or the child tax credit.   

 

Have you entered income from working in 2023?  If not,  you will not receive an income tax refund based on having dependent children.

 

The rules for getting the child tax credit on a 2021 tax return and now on a 2023 return are very different.  For 2021 you could get $3600 for a child under 6 or $3000 for a child between 6 and 17 even if you had no income/did not work.   That is NOT the way it will work for your 2023 tax return.  The “old” rules are back. 

 

  The maximum amount of the child tax credit is now $2000 per child; the refundable “additional child tax credit” amount is $1500.   In order to get that credit, you have to have income from working.  The credit is calculated based on the amount you earned above $2500 multiplied by 15%, up to the full $1600 per child. If the amount you earned was too low, you will not get the full $1600.

 

 If your child is older than 16 at the end of 2023, you do not get the CTC.  But you may still get the non-refundable $500 credit for other dependents instead.

 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900923-what-is-the-child-tax-credit

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/additional-child-tax-credit/L6x...

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

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question
Manage cookies