Taxpayers who aren’t eligible for the child tax credit should look into the credit for other dependents

The credit for other dependents is a tax credit available to taxpayers for each of their qualifying dependents who can’t be claimed for the child tax credit. The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. These include:

• Dependents who are age 17 or older.
• Dependents who have individual taxpayer identification numbers.
• Dependent parents or other qualifying relatives supported by the taxpayer.
• Dependents living with the taxpayer who aren’t related to the taxpayer.

The credit begins to phase out when the taxpayer’s income is more than $200,000. This phaseout begins for married couples filing a joint tax return at $400,000.
A taxpayer can claim this credit if:

• They claim the person as a dependent on the taxpayer’s return.
• They cannot use the dependent to claim the child tax credit or additional child tax credit.
• The dependent is a U.S. citizen, national or resident alien.

Taxpayers can claim the credit for other dependents in addition to the child and dependent care credit and the earned income credit.
Taxpayers can use the worksheet in Publication 972, Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents. This worksheet will help them determine if they can claim the credit for other dependents.
More Information:
Whom May I Claim as a Dependent?
Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information
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