I am a single mother who has a tax question......?

Question

I have not worked this year and i have been on unemployment. Will i still be able to claim my child come tax time? The father is not in the picture.... so he can not claim her. She has been with me for more then 6 months out of the year......

Answer 1

You can claim her, but if your only income was from unemployment comp you might not have any tax liability in the first place - if you don't, then claiming her won't make any difference. The exemption and the child tax credit can only take your taxes to zero - if you owe anything, that could save you something, but you probably won't. And since unemployment comp isn't considered earned income, you wouldn't be eligible for EIC either.

Answer 2

Your child is your qualifying child for tax purposes. You may be able to claim her as a dependent, as long as you are not someone else's dependent.

Did someone pay for over half of your support? If so, then that person may be able to claim you as a qualifying relative. Or, if you are under the age of 19 and living with a close relative, you may be a qualifying child of that relative and that relative may be able to claim your child. If someone can claim you as a dependent, you cannot claim your child.

As mentioned in another answer, you will not be eligible for a refund based on the child, since those credits are connected to wages. With only the unemployment as income it is unlikely that you will owe any tax even though you may be required to file.

Answer 3

You may get the credit....but you won't get a refund if that is what you are asking.

Both "refundable" credits (earned income tax credit and the addtional child tax credit) are based on having "Earned Income". Earned income is basically wages, salary, and/or tips.

Answer 4

Claim as a dependent? Sure, but it probably won't affect your taxes - they'll likely be zero either way.

Answer 5

yes.....absolutely !!!