Child Tax Credit for Immigrant Families

The Direct Answer

Immigrant families can claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC) of up to $2,000 per child - but only if the child has a valid Social Security Number issued before the due date of the return. The parent's immigration status is not a disqualifying factor, but the child's SSN requirement is strict.

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit?

To claim the CTC for a child, all of the following must be true:

• The child is under age 17 at the end of the tax year
• The child is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant of any of these
• The child lived with you for more than half the year
• The child did not provide more than half of their own financial support
• The child is a US citizen, US national, or US resident alien
• The child has a valid Social Security Number (SSN) - not an ITIN

The parent claiming the credit must have a valid SSN or ITIN and meet income thresholds described below.

How Much Is the Credit?

The credit begins to phase out when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married filing jointly.

The Refundable Portion: Additional Child Tax Credit

The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) is the refundable portion of the CTC. This matters for immigrant families because if you owe less in taxes than your credit amount, you can still receive up to $1,700 per child as a refund.

To qualify for the ACTC, you generally need at least $2,500 in earned income. Earned income includes wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

ITIN Holders and the CTC

If you file with an ITIN rather than an SSN:

• You cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for yourself, even if your children have SSNs
• However, your children who have SSNs can still qualify for the CTC if all other requirements are met

If your children also have ITINs rather than SSNs, they do not qualify for the CTC. You may be able to claim the Other Dependent Credit of up to $500 per dependent instead, which does not require an SSN.

Steps to Claim the Credit

1. Verify each child has a valid SSN (check the card; it must be valid for employment)
2. Complete Schedule 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents)
3. Attach Schedule 8812 to your Form 1040
4. Enter the credit amount on Form 1040, line 19

If your child does not yet have an SSN, file Form SS-5 with the Social Security Administration to obtain one before your tax return is due.

Common Situations for Immigrant Families

Child born in the US: Children born on US soil are US citizens and eligible for an SSN. Obtaining one as soon as possible after birth protects future CTC eligibility.

Child living abroad: If your qualifying child lived outside the US for more than half the year, they generally do not meet the residency requirement for the CTC.

Newly arrived family: If your family arrived mid-year, the child must have lived with you in the US for more than half the year. Count the days carefully.

Get Your Personalized Form List

Whether you qualify for the Child Tax Credit depends on your specific income, filing status, and your children's documentation. Start the free 5-minute diagnostic to get a personalized breakdown of which credits apply to your family.