Families who file their taxes with a Personal Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) They will not be able to access the full child credit if neither parent has a Social Security Number (SSN).
Carlos López, a tax preparer, explained the changes and how they affect families in a live video available on Facebook. Enlace Latino NC .
“Unfortunately, for the people who have an ITIN“The tax credits they normally received for their children no longer apply. There is still a deduction that is applied to taxes, but it doesn't carry the same weight as before,” López commented.
Taxpayers must file their tax returns between January 26 and April 15, the official dates of the this year's tax season.
Who qualifies for the Child Tax Credit?
For fiscal year 2025, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) It increases to $2,200 for each qualifying child, but new strict rules They require that both the child and the taxpayers have a valid SNN in order to claim it.
ITIN holders generally no longer qualify for the primary CTC, although ITINs can still be used for the separate Other Dependents (ODC) credit.
However, mixed marriages could still receive the dependent tax credit.
“In mixed marriages, where one spouse has Social Security and the other does not, that does not exempt them from the loan. In other words, they will still be eligible,” López clarified.
Related: Can you buy a house with an ITIN number in North Carolina?
In addition, for a child to qualify, they generally must:
- Be under 17 years of age at the end of the fiscal year.
- Being a son, stepson, eligible adopted son, brother, half-brother, or other descendant such as grandchildren or nephews.
- Not to provide more than half of their own sustenance.
- Having lived with the taxpayer for more than half the year.
- Being claimed as a dependent in the declaration.
- Do not file a joint return, except to claim a refund.
- To be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident.
If you meet all the requirements and your annual income does not exceed $200,000 ($400,000 for joint filing), you can receive the full CTC. Taxpayers with higher incomes may receive a partial credit.
Why filing taxes still matters
People with an ITIN may qualify for other types of credit by dependents such as the ODC. And filing taxes remains essential to obtaining these other benefits, López said.
“The worst thing a person can do is not file their taxes. If they used to receive $5,000 and now they're only entitled to $2,000, it's better to receive something than nothing. Furthermore, if they don't file their return, the IRS could even collect from them,” he added.
This advice is key to ensuring families don't lose benefits or face potential IRS penalties.
Related: New free program to learn how to manage your finances
How to determine eligibility and claim credits
Use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant To find out if you are eligible to claim the credits: CTC, ACTC or ODC.
If you qualify, you can claim the CTC, ACTC, or ODC, including your children and other dependents in the Form 1040, United States Individual Income Tax Return, and attaching the Annex 8812, Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents.
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
▶️Press play to listen!
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
