CHILD TAX CREDIT

A Way to Reduce Your Taxes or Get Extra Cash

What Is The Child Tax Credit?

The Child Tax Credit is an income tax benefit for people with low or moderate incomes.

When you file a tax return, the Child Tax Credit may reduce your tax. You might also get a cash refund!

When you file your tax return, you may be eligible for up to $1,000 per child in Child Tax Credit.

Is the Child Tax Credit Like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

The Child Tax Credit is not the same as the EITC. The Child Tax Credit and EITC have some different rules.

Even if you do not qualify for the EITC, you still may qualify for the Child Tax Credit. You may qualify for both the Child Tax Credit and the EITC.

Unlike the EITC:

• You get more Child Tax Credit if you have more than two children;

• You may qualify even if you and your spouse file separate returns;

• You may claim the Child Tax Credit with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Can I Get the Child Tax Credit?

To get the Child Tax Credit, your child must:

· Be your son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, adopted child, eligible foster child, brother, sister, or child of any of these;

· Be less than 17 years old at the end of the year. Your child must be 16 years old or younger on December 31;

· Not provide more than half of his/her own support; and

· Live with you for more than half of the year.

AND

Your income must be LESS than:

How Much Child Tax Credit Can I Get?

The amount of your Child Tax Credit depends on your income and the number of children you have. You can get up to $1,000 per child, minus any advance payment.

You may not qualify for the maximum Child Tax Credit. And you may get only part of what you qualify for as a refund.

Will I Get a Cash Refund of the Child Tax Credit (Additional Child Tax Credit)?

You may get a cash refund of the Child Tax Credit if:

1. You did not use all of your allowed Child Tax Credit listed on your tax return. You did not use all of your allowed Child Tax Credit if the Child Tax Credit line on your income tax return is less than-

•  $1,000 - one child

•  $2,000 - two children

•  $3,000 - three children

•  $4,000 - four children

AND

Your earned income is greater than $11,300. Earned income is income from wages, tips and self-employment.

OR

2. You did not use all of your allowed Child Tax Credit AND you have three or more children.

How Do I Get the Child Tax Credit?

You must file an income tax return and attach Form 8812 to claim a refund of the Child Tax Credit. For more information, see IRS publication 17.

You can file your tax return and claim the Child Tax Credit for free. Call 1-800-829-1040 for the location of a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site near you. Or call 1-888-227-7669 for the location of a TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) site near you. Both have volunteers trained by the IRS who can prepare and electronically file your tax return for free!

Will the Child Tax Credit Affect My Public Benefits?

No. The Child Tax Credit will not affect your public benefits, like food stamps, public housing, TANF, SSI, and Medicaid.

If you are denied public benefits or your amount decreases because of the Child Tax Credit, you can call: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. at 1-888-988-9996.