Am I eligible for Child Tax Credit if I didn't work this year? (HOH with 16-year-old dependent)

Yes, you can still qualify for the Child Tax Credit even without earned income. For 2024, the CTC is partially refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), even if you don't owe any taxes. With a 16-year-old, you could be eligible for up to $2,000 per qualifying child. However, there are some limitations: • Since your child is 16, this is actually the last year they qualify (must be under 17 at end of tax year) • The refundable portion (ACTC) is limited to $1,600 per qualifying child for 2024 • You must file a tax return to claim it, even with zero income I'd definitely recommend filing. You may also qualify for other credits like the Credit for Other Dependents if your situation changes. Even with no income, you should file to claim any refundable credits available to you.

I had a similar situation last year and was so confused trying to understand my eligibility. I ended up using taxr.ai to analyze my situation and it was insanely helpful. It breaks down exactly what credits you qualify for based on your specific situation rather than trying to piece together info from random forums. It told me I qualified for partial CTC even without income. I use it every tax season now to check what I'm eligible for before filing. https://taxr.ai

I was in exactly your position last year - couldn't work due to major back surgery, had my 15-year-old with me. I tried calling the IRS like 20 times to confirm if I qualified for CTC with no income... impossible to reach anyone. Finally used the Claimyr app and got through to an actual human at the IRS within an hour. Confirmed I qualified for partial CTC and they walked me through the process. Best money I've ever spent after wasting days trying to get through. Check out claimyr.com if you need definitive answers - talking to an actual agent was the only way I could be 100% sure about my situation.

My sister was in your EXACT situation last year and she DID get the credit. She didn't work due to disability but still got about $1,500 for her 16yo. You definitely should file!

Just a heads up, you might also be eligible for the Earned Income Credit if you had any income at all during the year, even if it was very small. And definitely look into filing - even with no income, refundable credits can put money in your pocket.

I'm literally in the same boat right now (except my kid is 15). The info on the IRS website is so confusing that I gave up trying to figure it out. I was just gonna skip filing this year but now I'm thinking I should actually file after reading these comments.

The child tax credit rules are so annoying and seem to change every year! For 2024, you can get up to $1,600 of the $2,000 as a refundable credit (meaning you get it even if you don't owe tax). But I'd really recommend using a tax pro or good software because the forms for this get complicated fast.

A lot of ppl are giving good advice but I wanna throw out there that if ur low/no income, you can usually get FREE tax prep help through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). They'll make sure u get every credit ur eligible for. Google "VITA tax help near me" and you should find locations. They do this Jan-April every year.

I swear our tax system is designed to be as confusing as possible 🤡 Why can't they just make it simple so people know what they qualify for without needing a PhD in taxation?

The main thing to remember is that the CTC has two parts - the regular part (up to $2k) which reduces your tax liability, and the ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit) which is the refundable portion (up to $1,600 for 2024). Since you had no income and therefore no tax liability, you'd be looking at the refundable ACTC portion.

Some additional info since I've seen confusion about this: the CTC is $2,000 per qualifying child for 2024. And yes, for a 16-year-old, this is the LAST year they qualify (they must be under 17 at the end of the tax year). So definitely file to get whatever refundable portion you're eligible for!

Hey Amara! I'm sorry to hear about your health issues this year. The good news is that you should definitely file - even with zero income, you can still get the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit (called Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC). For 2024, that's up to $1,600 per qualifying child. Since your son is 16, this is actually his last year to qualify (they have to be under 17), so don't miss out! I'd recommend using free filing software or checking out the VITA program someone mentioned for free help. You've got nothing to lose and potentially $1,600 to gain!

I'm in a similar situation - no income this year due to caring for my elderly parent, and I have a 15-year-old. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful! I had completely given up on filing because I assumed you needed income to get any credits. Now I'm realizing I could be missing out on that $1,600 ACTC refund. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know others have been through this and actually received money back. Definitely going to look into filing now, especially since my daughter will age out next year too. This community is amazing for breaking down confusing tax stuff!

Just wanted to add my experience to help reassure you - I was in almost the exact same situation two years ago. Couldn't work due to a serious medical condition and had my 16-year-old living with me. I was so stressed about money and almost didn't file because I thought "no income = no refund." Thankfully a friend convinced me to file anyway and I ended up getting the full $1,600 ACTC refund! It was literally a lifesaver during such a tough time. The process was way easier than I expected too - used FreeTaxUSA and it walked me through everything step by step. Since your son is 16, definitely don't wait - this is his last year to qualify and that $1,600 could really help while you're recovering. Wishing you better health in 2025! 💙

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works in tax prep - you absolutely should file! The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) is specifically designed for situations like yours. Even with zero income, you can get up to $1,600 refunded for your 16-year-old son. A few quick tips: • Make sure your son has a valid Social Security Number (not ITIN) for the full credit • File electronically if possible - paper returns are taking 4+ months to process • Keep good records of your son living with you full-time in case of any questions • Consider direct deposit for faster refund processing Since this is your son's last year to qualify (he must be under 17 at year-end), don't let this opportunity pass by. The VITA program mentioned earlier is excellent for free help, or most online tax software will handle this situation just fine. Hope you're feeling better and that this refund helps during your recovery!

I'm so sorry to hear about your health struggles this year, Amara. The silver lining is that you should definitely file your taxes! Even with zero income, you can still claim the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which is the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit. For 2024, you could get up to $1,600 back for your 16-year-old son. Since your son is 16, this is actually his final year to qualify (the cutoff is under 17 at the end of the tax year), so you really don't want to miss out on this opportunity. The process is straightforward - you'll need to file a return and complete Schedule 8812 to claim the ACTC. I'd recommend looking into the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program for free help, or using reputable tax software that can guide you through the process. Make sure to file electronically if possible since paper returns are taking months to process right now. This refund could really help during your recovery period. Take care of yourself and don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions!

I'm really glad to see so many helpful responses here! As someone who's been through a similar situation, I want to emphasize that you should absolutely file your return. The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) is specifically designed for situations like yours where you have qualifying children but little to no income. For 2024, you can receive up to $1,600 as a refundable credit for your 16-year-old son - this means you'll get this money even though you didn't owe any taxes. Since your son is 16, this is indeed his last year to qualify (must be under 17 at year-end), so don't miss this opportunity. A few practical steps: • File electronically to avoid the long processing delays with paper returns • Use free filing software or visit a VITA site for professional help at no cost • Make sure you have your son's Social Security Number ready • Consider setting up direct deposit for faster refund processing The fact that you had zero income due to health issues doesn't disqualify you from this credit - it's actually one of the reasons refundable credits exist. I hope your health improves in 2025, and that this refund helps during your recovery period!