What Is a Child Tax Break Credit?

The federal Child Tax Credit is designed to offset the many expenses associated with raising a child. If you are interested in claiming this tax break credit the next time you do your taxes, you may be eligible to receive up to $2,000 in credit for every dependent you can claim on your taxes. However, restrictions and income limitations do apply.

Determining Who Qualifies

There are several requirements children and dependents must meet to help you qualify for the child tax expense break. These include:

  • Age—The child must be under the age of 17 for the previous tax year to qualify for this credit.
  • Relationship—Any child you claim for this credit must be your own child, a stepchild, or a foster child who was placed in your home either by the court system or an authorized agency.
  • Support—To qualify for this credit, the child you are trying to claim cannot have provided more than half of his or her financial support during the prior year.
  • Citizenship—The child you are claiming for this credit must be a U.S. national, U.S. resident alien, or a U.S. citizen.
  • Residence—The child you plan to claim must live with you for more than half of the prior tax year. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

The child you are claiming must also pass the dependent test. This means, for example, that your child must be your child or under your care, be under the age of 19, have lived with you for over half of the previous tax year, and have contributed no more than half of his or her support during the past year. 

Securing Needed Assistance

You may have many questions about claiming a child as a dependent on your taxes and GovDocFiling can provide helpful information. Contact them today to find out more about what they offer.