Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury
Level Basic Advanced Military International

Additional Child Tax Credit

How to claim the credit

Taxpayers in Puerto Rico Who Have Income Subject to U.S. Tax

Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents

Taxpayers who have income subject to U.S. income tax and will be filing Form 1040 or Form 1040SR should use Schedule 8812 "Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents" to claim the child tax credit and/or the other dependent credit.

Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit

Taxpayers who have income subject to U.S. income tax can qualify for the child tax credit (nonrefundable) if they have at least one qualified child and/ or the additional child tax credit (refundable) if they have at least one qualified child and over $2,500 of earned income subject to federal tax.

The child tax credit gives eligible taxpayers $2,000 for each qualifying child. These taxpayers should complete Schedule 8812 to claim the credits for qualifying children and other dependents. On line 2a, include any Puerto Rico income exempt under Sec. 933.

Additional Child Tax Credit

The additional child tax credit allows eligible taxpayers to claim a refund of up to $1,600 for each qualifying child. For Puerto Rico taxpayers with earned income subject to Federal tax and, who have one or more qualifying children, the credit will be the lesser of:

  • 15% of a taxpayer's taxable earned income that is over $2,500, or
  • $1,600 for each qualifying child
More Information

For this credit, taxpayers who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces can choose to include nontaxable combat pay as earned income.

Tip

These taxpayers can also claim a nonrefundable credit of up to $500 for a dependent who is not a qualifying child, or who is a qualifying child but does not have the required type of Social Security number (SSN) before the due date of the return.

Top of Schedule 8812 showing Part I