Child Tax Credit

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The child tax credit is a tax credit available for people with low or moderate incomes.

When you file a tax return, the child tax credit could reduce your tax. You might also get a cash refund!

Some child tax credit laws are new or have recently changed. Before 2001, the child tax credit could reduce your tax but you had to have more than two children to get a cash refund.

The new law allows some people to get a cash refund of child tax credit even if they have less than three children.

The child tax credit is not the same as the EITC. The child tax credit and EITC have different rules.

Many people who do not qualify for the EITC, qualify for the child tax credit. Some people will qualify for both the child tax credit and the EITC.


A married couple with two children will qualify for the EITC if their combined incomes are below $37,263. A married couple with two children will qualify for the child tax credit if their combined incomes are less than $110,000!

Unlike the EITC, you can:


1. Get more child tax credit if you have more than two children;

2. File a separate return;
3. Claim the child tax credit with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

The child tax credit will not affect your eligibility for certain public benefits, such as food stamps, public housing, welfare or SSI.

If you already get assistance, the child tax credit should not affect the amount of your benefits.

The child tax credit will not affect your eligibility or amount of most public benefits, even if you receive a cash refund of the child tax credit.

If you are denied public benefits
or your amount decreases be-cause of the child tax credit, you should call:

Rhode Island Legal Services at (401) 274-2652





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