Schedule 8812

Schedule 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents) is an IRS tax form used to calculate the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), and Credit for Other Dependents (ODC). This schedule helps taxpayers determine their eligibility for these valuable tax credits and calculates the refundable and non-refundable portions of credits claimed for qualifying children and dependents.

Taxpayers must file Schedule 8812 with Form 1040 or 1040-SR if they’re claiming the Child Tax Credit for qualifying children under age 17 at the end of the tax year, the Additional Child Tax Credit (the refundable portion of the CTC), or the Credit for Other Dependents for qualifying individuals who don’t meet the age requirement for the Child Tax Credit. The form guides you through complex calculations involving income thresholds, phase-out limits, and earned income requirements.

The Child Tax Credit can reduce your tax liability by up to $2,000 per qualifying child, with up to $1,600 being refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit (as of 2024). The Credit for Other Dependents provides up to $500 for qualifying dependents who aren’t eligible for the CTC, including older children aged 17-18, full-time students aged 19-24, and other qualifying relatives.

Schedule 8812 requires detailed information about each qualifying child or dependent, including their name, Social Security Number, relationship to you, and whether they meet specific eligibility criteria. The form includes worksheets to calculate modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and determine phase-out amounts for higher-income taxpayers. For married couples filing jointly, the Child Tax Credit begins to phase out when MAGI exceeds $400,000; for other filers, the threshold is $200,000.

The Additional Child Tax Credit calculation on Schedule 8812 considers your earned income and allows lower-income families to receive a refund even if they owe little or no federal income tax. This refundable credit helps working families benefit from the Child Tax Credit regardless of their tax liability, making it an essential tool for reducing child poverty and supporting families with qualifying dependents.