Tax Tip 2019-138: Here’s how the credit for other dependents can benefit taxpayers

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 10/03/2019 10:59 AM EDT

IRS Tax Tips

October 3, 2019

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-138

Here’s how the credit for other dependents can benefit taxpayers

Taxpayers with dependents may qualify to claim a few different tax credits. One of these is the child tax credit. The child tax credit benefits people whose dependent meets a series of tests. If the dependent doesn’t meet those qualifications, the taxpayer may be able to claim the credit for other dependents.

Here’s some info about the credit for other dependents. These details can help taxpayers find out if they can claim it when they file their taxes next year.

A taxpayer can’t claim the credit for other dependents for a child who qualifies for the child tax credit or the additional child tax credit.
A qualifying individual could be the taxpayer’s older child, parent or cousin. It could even be someone who is not related to the taxpayer. To qualify, the unrelated person must have lived with the taxpayer for the entire tax year.
The maximum amount of the credit is $500 per qualifying dependent.
The dependent must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a U.S. resident alien.
Taxpayers who are eligible to claim this credit must list the name and Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number for each dependent they claim on their tax return.
The credit begins to phase out at $200,000 of modified adjusted gross income. This amount is $400,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Taxpayers can use the worksheet on page 6 of Publication 972, Child Tax Credit, to determine if they can claim this credit.

More Information:
Whom May I Claim as a Dependent?
Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families
Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information

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Tax Tip 2019-138: Here’s how the credit for other dependents can benefit taxpayers

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Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-138