How To File

Yes! You are eligible for the Child Tax Credit for the new child, so long as you earned at least $2,500 from working in 2024. To claim your credit, you must file a 2024 tax return in early 2025. We can help you file your taxes and claim your payment.

If someone else claimed your child on their taxes last year and you expect that person to claim your child again on their taxes in 2025:

• If the child does not live with you at least six months out of the year, you are likely not eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit for that child.
• If the child lives with you more than six months out of the year but someone else usually claims them on their taxes, talk to a tax professional for advice. Make a no-cost appointment with one of our tax prep partners to get help.

If someone else claimed your child on their taxes last year but you expect to claim your child on your taxes in 2025:

• If you claim the child on your tax return in 2025, and no one else does, you will be eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit for that child. Only one person or family can claim a particular child at the same time.
• If you and someone else both claim your child in the same year, your refund may be delayed. Ask a tax professional for advice. Make a no-cost appointment with one of our tax prep partners to get help.

The forms are similar. Both show how much money you earned from an organization for tax purposes. The important thing is that any organization that paid you money for work in 2024 should give you either a W2 or a 1099. You might also receive a 1099 for unearned income, such as unemployment income and lottery or gambling winnings, which are taxable. You should collect all your W2s and 1099s and bring them with you to your tax appointment.

Really want to know the details? A W2 is a form that you receive from your employer showing how much money you made for tax purposes. If you are hired as an employee under federal employment law, you will receive a W2. A 1099 is a similar form that you receive from an organization that paid you money as an independent contractor. Many gig jobs, like driving for Uber or Lyft or freelancing, are technically independent contracting arrangements and will provide a 1099.

Only your employer or the organization you contracted with can provide you with your W2 and 1099 forms. Organizations will usually mail the correct form to you so that you have it in mid to late January. Make sure your employer or the organization you contracted with has your current address! The form may be available to download and print from your employer’s online HR system. If you didn’t receive yours, you will need to contact your employer or the organization you contracted with for help.

The Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit count dependents based on whether the child lives with you at least half of the year and how old they are on December 31 of the tax year. If you had a baby born in 2024, you can claim that baby for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit if you meet the income guidelines.

Children under age 17 are eligible for the Child Tax Credit. If your child turned age 17 before December 31, 2024, that child is no longer eligible for the Child Tax Credit.

For the Earned Income Tax Credit, children under age 19 are eligible. If your child turned 19 before December 31, 2024, that child is no longer eligible—unless the child is a full-time student. Children who are full-time students are eligible until they turn 24.