Schedule 8812 (Form 1040): Claim the Additional Child Tax Credit | TAXtical

Schedule 8812 (Form 1040): Additional Child Tax Credit Explained

Parents and guardians may be entitled to valuable tax credits when raising children — and Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) plays a key role in unlocking the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This credit can reduce your tax liability and may even result in a refund, even if you don’t owe taxes.

In this post, TAXtical explains:

What Schedule 8812 is
Who needs to file it
Why it matters for families
How to file it correctly

What is Schedule 8812?

Schedule 8812, also known as the Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents, is a tax form attached to Form 1040 or 1040-SR. It is used to:

Calculate the Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Claim the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) if your CTC is more than the amount of tax you owe
Determine if you qualify for refundable credits

If your tax liability is too low to use the full Child Tax Credit, Schedule 8812 allows you to get a refund for the unused portion — that’s the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Who Should File Schedule 8812?

You must file Schedule 8812 if:

You’re claiming the Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents, and
You’re eligible for the refundable portion (ACTC), meaning:

Your earned income is above a certain threshold (usually $2,500 or more)
You have at least one qualifying child
Your tax liability is less than the total credit amount

Schedule 8812 is especially important for:

Low- to moderate-income families
Taxpayers with three or more qualifying children
Families with dependents who meet IRS age and residency requirements

Why Schedule 8812 Matters

The Child Tax Credit can be worth up to $2,000 per child under age 17. Of that, up to $1,500 (indexed to inflation) can be refundable through the ACTC, depending on your income.

Filing Schedule 8812 ensures that:

You maximize your tax benefits as a parent
You don’t leave refundable credits on the table
Your return is compliant with IRS requirements for dependents

How to File Schedule 8812

Here’s how to file the form correctly:

Gather income information – especially earned income such as W-2 wages or self-employment income
Identify all qualifying children – must have SSNs and meet IRS criteria
Complete the Child Tax Credit section on Form 1040
Attach Schedule 8812 to calculate the additional refundable portion
Submit with your tax return before the filing deadline (typically April 15)

Using tax software or a professional like TAXtical can help avoid mistakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to attach Schedule 8812 when claiming CTC
Including children who don’t meet residency, age, or identification criteria
Misreporting earned income thresholds

Avoid these by double-checking your entries or filing with expert help.

How TAXtical Can Help

At TAXtical, we make it easy to claim every dollar you’re entitled to. With our help, you can:

✔ Confirm your eligibility for the Child Tax Credit and ACTC
✔ Accurately complete Schedule 8812
✔ Avoid IRS delays or rejection due to form errors
✔ Receive your refund faster

📞 Contact us today - Let our tax experts make sure you get the most out of your return — especially when supporting a family.

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