Taxes-child credit

[hollieplus2]

So I'm doing our taxes on the HR Block website and at the end it shows you the difference between last year and this year. Well they are pretty close except it shows last year we didn't get a $900 credit like we did this year. I went and looked up the credit and its the child tax credit. Was there something funky or wierd about the credit last year and I just can't remember? We always get the credit. We only have 1 kid but I'm afraid we made a mistake on last years return.

 

[April7901]

Did your child turn 17 last year by chance?

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

You should get a $1000 credit per child. Same this year as last year.

Are you sure the $900 wasn't for a child care credit? Daycare type thing?

 

[LadyBeBop]

Might you have made a lot more last year than this year?

The child tax credit is reduced or limited after you make a certain amount ($110,000 if you're married filing joint, $75,000 for single or head of household and $55,000 for married filing separate). The more you make, the larger the credit is reduced. So, if you have one child and you made over $130,000 last year (assuming married filing joint), you did not qualify for the credit. However, if you and your spouse made less than $110,000 this year, you qualified for the full credit.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

I will confirm pp Child Credit is #based on income tho 1,000 is your max return its like a hill with your income Lil to middle then middle to max depends on what ya get ALSO #17 is cut off Yes they are still your dependent yet NO child credit even if they turned 17 Dec29 you get 0$ for that year--If you don't see a difference in one of those 2 guidelines something is wrong this year or last?!? Good Luck

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Get a live person to look at tour 2011 return. If you made a mistake you can file a Form 1040-X to amend the 2011 return. If you used Block's online service, take it to a Block office (if you trust them) and they should not charge you for this.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

Get a live person to look at tour 2011 return. If you made a mistake you can file a Form 1040-X to amend the 2011 return. If you used Block's online service, take it to a Block office (if you trust them) and they should not charge you for this.

YES Definitely if you feel there is a mistake get it physically looked at keyword mistake it sounds as though you honestly don't know just filled in blanks You should be able to call if you used H&R both years a rep can look at your info in office then let you know if its something they can walk you through or if you need to come in!

 

[hollieplus2]

Yea I think I need someone to review. Our DS is only 12 so age isn't a factor. We made about 5k more this year than last combined and we are eligible for $900 vs the full $1000. I must have done something wrong maybe. Just wasn't sure if some obscure tax thing happened last year that I couldn't remember.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The child credit depresses me. We make too much so we will be lucky to get $50 from it. I understand it is to help those with less income support their children, but that doesn't mean I can't be bummed about it.

 

[Jenny3]

ALSO #17 is cut off Yes they are still your dependent yet NO child credit even if they turned 17 Dec29 you get 0$ for that year

Ugh, didn't know that! I just assumed it was 18. My DD was 17 this past November.

 

[wiigirl]

Get a live person to look at tour 2011 return. If you made a mistake you can file a Form 1040-X to amend the 2011 return. If you used Block's online service, take it to a Block office (if you trust them) and they should not charge you for this.

Defiently....

 

[mm1971]

This is the standard deduction. Did you itemize a different way last year. It is possible that you benefited from itemizing and not using the standard deduction. It is also possible that it was missed and they owe you from last year. I agree with letting someone review our 2011 tax forms to make sure they are correct.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Ugh, didn't know that! I just assumed it was 18. My DD was 17 this past November.

DS is turning 17 this coming spring. 2012 was the last year for the Child Tax Credit for me, unfortunately.

OP - agree with others, have your return from last year reviewed and file an amended return. It's quite easy - I had to do one a few years ago.

 

[jmac323]

Might you have made a lot more last year than this year?

The child tax credit is reduced or limited after you make a certain amount ($110,000 if you're married filing joint, $75,000 for single or head of household and $55,000 for married filing separate). The more you make, the larger the credit is reduced. So, if you have one child and you made over $130,000 last year (assuming married filing joint), you did not qualify for the credit. However, if you and your spouse made less than $110,000 this year, you qualified for the full credit.

Ditto on this. We had a rude awakening the more we started making. We now get almost nothing for the kids.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

This is the standard deduction. Did you itemize a different way last year. It is possible that you benefited from itemizing and not using the standard deduction. It is also possible that it was missed and they owe you from last year. I agree with letting someone review our 2011 tax forms to make sure they are correct.

Thanx mm1971 we always itemize therefore didnt think of that one

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Thanx mm1971 we always itemize therefore didnt think of that one

We itemize our deductions but still get the child tax credit. You don't lose it by itemizing.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

We itemize our deductions but still get the child tax credit. You don't lose it by itemizing.

No you won't lose it yet depending on your forms&deductions it can make a noticeable impact for some its better to weigh standard or itemize

 

[luvdisney00]

17 is when kids really start to get expensive. it's CRAZY that they take the credit away the year they turn 17

 

[eandt]

At 17 you still get the child tax credit....if they turn 18 during the tax year even if it's Dec 31 (like our son) you can not collect the child tax credit....agree 18 is when they really become expensive but there is some other help in the tax code for college expenses so it even out..... I guess...

 

[Crystal Brewer]

At 17 you still get the child tax credit....if they turn 18 during the tax year even if it's Dec 31 (like our son) you can not collect the child tax credit....agree 18 is when they really become expensive but there is some other help in the tax code for college expenses so it even out..... I guess...

Your situation may be out of norm so not to dispute yet the Child Credit itself ends the year they turn 17 as stated in pp they are still a dependent yet lose the luxury of Lil extra-agreed its crazy with this being the year most have grad expenses tho it happens Yes upon beginning college there are extra credits as when they are employed(taxed) parent can claim HoH list them as dependents yet they can file and get their own refund In my experience that's the only time tax time makes me smile cause they feel "big"