Fill out Form 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents) online
Form 8812 (Schedule 8812) is used to calculate the Child Tax Credit, the Credit for Other Dependents, and the Additional Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17, and the Credit for Other Dependents provides up to $500 for dependents who do not qualify for the full child tax credit.
How to fill out Form 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents)
Determine qualifying dependents
Identify each dependent listed on your Form 1040. For each child under age 17 with a valid SSN, they qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Other dependents (older children, parents, etc.) may qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents.
Calculate the initial credit amount
Multiply the number of qualifying children by $2,000 and the number of other dependents by $500. Enter the total initial credit amount on the form.
Apply income phase-outs
If your modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold ($200,000 for single filers, $400,000 for married filing jointly), reduce the credit by $50 for each $1,000 over the threshold.
Calculate the Additional Child Tax Credit
If your Child Tax Credit exceeds your tax liability, you may be eligible for the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit. Complete the worksheet to determine the refundable amount based on your earned income.
About Form 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents)
Who needs this form
Taxpayers who claim one or more dependents on their tax return and want to receive the Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents. This includes parents, guardians, and others who support qualifying children under age 17 or other eligible dependents.
Where to submit
Attach Schedule 8812 to your Form 1040 or 1040-SR when filing your annual federal income tax return. The credit amounts flow to Form 1040, line 19 (nonrefundable) and line 28 (refundable additional child tax credit).
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not providing a valid Social Security number for each qualifying child (an ITIN does not qualify for the child tax credit)
- Claiming the child tax credit for a dependent who is age 17 or older by the end of the tax year
- Forgetting to check whether you qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit (refundable portion) when the nonrefundable credit exceeds your tax liability
- Not accounting for income phase-outs that reduce the credit for higher earners ($200,000 single, $400,000 married filing jointly)
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What is the difference between the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit?
The Child Tax Credit (up to $2,000 per qualifying child) is nonrefundable, meaning it can reduce your tax to zero but cannot generate a refund by itself. The Additional Child Tax Credit is the refundable portion: if your Child Tax Credit exceeds your tax liability, you may receive up to $1,700 of the remaining amount as a refund, calculated based on your earned income.
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