Who qualifies for Child Tax Credit

The Child Tax Credit is intended to help families with qualifying children get a tax break. 

You can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child who has a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States.

To be a qualifying child for the 2023 tax year, your dependent generally must:

• Be under 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew).
• Not provide more than half of his or her own support for the tax year.
• Have lived with you for more than half the tax year.
• Be claimed as a dependent on your return.
• Not file a joint return for the year (or filed the joint return only to claim a refund of taxes withheld or estimated taxes).
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or a U.S. resident alien.

You qualify for the full amount of the 2023 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit. 

For the up to date information, please see the qualifications for Child Tax Credit on irs.gov