An overview of the credit for other dependents

(We Chinese in America Media Editor Tang Zhao, March 26, 2022) As a valuable service to We Chinese in America website readers, We Chinese in America website posts English and Chinese versions of “IRS News Release” and “IRS Fact Sheets” directly received from IRS Media Relations Office in Washington, D.C.. We are pleased to take on this important role partnering with IRS to better inform the public.

An overview of the credit for other dependents

IRS Tax Tip 2022-12

Taxpayers with dependents who don't qualify for the child tax credit may be able to claim the credit for other dependents. This is a non-refundable credit. It can reduce or, in some cases, eliminate a tax bill but, the IRS cannot refund the taxpayer any portion of the credit that may be left over.

Here's more information to help taxpayers determine if they're eligible to claim it on their 2021 tax return.

The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. For example, ODC can be claimed for:

Dependents of any age, including those who are age 18 or older.
Dependents who have Social Security numbers or 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. They can use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant, Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?, to help determine if they are eligible to claim the credit.

More information: