When you enter the dependent information that flows to Form 1040 in the TaxAct program, the child's data (social security number, year of birth, relationship, number of months lived with you, etc.) needs to be entered correctly for the child tax credit to properly calculate.  If you're not sure how to enter the dependent information, you can click the Information Icon that appears on some of the screens, or look at Form 1040 for more information.

To enter or edit a dependent in the TaxAct program:

1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Federal (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Federal).
2. Click the Basic Information dropdown, then click Dependents and other qualifying persons.
3. Click + Add a Dependent to add a new dependent, click Edit to edit a dependent already created (desktop program: click Review instead of Edit), or click the trash icon to delete a dependent.
4. Continue with the interview process to enter your information.

To review your calculated child tax credit (your credit amounts have been automatically calculated based on the dependent and income information you entered):

1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Federal (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Federal).
2. Click the Other Credits dropdown, then click Child tax credit.
3. Continue with the interview process to enter your information.

Related Links

• Instructions for Form 1040 and 1040-SR
• 8812 Instructions Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents

Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the webpage or document at the time it is accessed.