Child Tax Credit – 2023

WHAT IS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT?
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a tax credit for single or married workers earning low or moderate incomes who have dependent children under age 17. Workers who qualify for the CTC and file a federal tax return can receive a credit of up to $2,000 per child. The amount of the credit will depend on the worker’s income. Workers whose earnings are too small to have paid taxes may also be eligible for the CTC.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHILD TAX CREDIT?
To be eligible for the CTC refund, a single or married worker must:

Be able to claim an exemption for one or more dependent children under age 17 on his or tax return.
Have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). ITINs are issued by the IRS (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Individual-Taxpayer-Identification-Number-ITIN) to individuals who are unable to obtain a SSN. Immigrant workers with either type of number may be eligible for the CTC.

CLAIMING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT:

To claim the child tax credit, you must file Form 1040. You must provide the name and identification number (usually a social security number) on your tax return for each qualifying child.

FORMS TO BRING TO A TAX ASSISTANCE SITE
When visiting an Connecticut Tax-Aide Income Tax Assistance or VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site, bring the following:

All W-2 forms for household
1099 Forms (if any)
Social Security Card(s) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number(s) for all household members
Last Year’s Tax Return (if you have one)
Child care provider name, address and tax ID number
Education expenses and student loan information
For direct deposit, a check or savings account number with routing number
Copies of payments to municipalities (local property taxes such as automobiles) for state tax returns
Any other tax-related documents you have received

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

Search by service name: Federal Child Tax Credit Information

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SOURCES: 2-1-1 database; Publication 972: Child Tax Credit posted on the Internal Revenue Service website
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CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2024