If you have kids, you might qualify for either the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents (also known as the Family Tax Credit). While they’re similar, there are some differences in eligibility.
Child Tax Credit
| Credit for Other Dependents
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- They must be related to you.
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- They don't have to be related to you.
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- They must have a Social Security number.
| - They must have an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or a Social Security number.
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- They must be younger than 18.
| - If they are older than 18, they can’t have gross income of more than $4,300 in 2021 (Social Security income usually doesn’t count), unless they are either:
- A qualified child under the age of 24 and a full-time student
- Permanently or totally disabled
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- They must be a US resident.
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- They can be a Canadian or Mexican resident.
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Other requirements apply, so make sure you review the full Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents requirements.
