Fill Out IRS Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) Online
Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents
Internal Revenue Service
Calculates the child tax credit and the credit for other dependents.
Reviewed July 2026
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Schedule 8812 (Form 1040), Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents, is the worksheet-style schedule that calculates the child tax credit (CTC), the credit for other dependents (ODC), and the refundable additional child tax credit (ACTC). Anyone claiming these credits on Form 1040 completes it.
You can fill out Schedule 8812 in the Universal PDF editor: enter your income figures and dependent counts, follow the line-by-line math, and download the completed PDF for your records.
What is Schedule 8812 used for
Schedule 8812 turns your dependent information into three possible credits. The child tax credit applies to each qualifying child who meets the age, relationship, residency, and Social Security number rules. The credit for other dependents covers dependents who do not qualify for the CTC, such as older children and qualifying relatives. The additional child tax credit is the refundable portion available when the regular credit exceeds your tax.
Who needs to file Schedule 8812
File Schedule 8812 if you claim the child tax credit or credit for other dependents on your Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR. A qualifying child generally must be under the age limit at year end, live with you for more than half the year, be claimed as your dependent, and have a Social Security number valid for employment. Income phaseouts reduce the credits above the levels shown in the official instructions.
How to fill out Schedule 8812
The schedule works from your income down to the credit amounts, so complete the income sections of Form 1040 first.
- Enter your adjusted gross income and the required additions from the instructions
- Count qualifying children with valid Social Security numbers and other dependents separately, matching the boxes checked in the Dependents section of Form 1040
- Multiply each count by the per-dependent amounts printed on the form
- Apply the income phaseout calculation if your income is above the level in the instructions
- Compare the credit to your tax to find the nonrefundable portion, which goes on Form 1040
- Continue to the additional child tax credit section if part of your credit is unused, using the earned income calculation to figure the refundable amount
How Schedule 8812 attaches to Form 1040
The nonrefundable credit lands on the child tax credit line of Form 1040, and any additional child tax credit appears in the payments section as a refundable credit. Attach the schedule to your return in sequence order when filing on paper.
Frequently asked questions
Generally a dependent child under the age limit set for the tax year who lived with you more than half the year, meets the relationship and support tests, and has a Social Security number valid for employment. The official instructions list all requirements.
It is a smaller, nonrefundable credit for dependents who do not qualify for the child tax credit, such as children above the age limit, dependent parents, or other qualifying relatives.
It is the refundable portion of the child tax credit. If the regular credit is larger than the tax you owe, Schedule 8812 uses your earned income to figure how much of the difference can be refunded.
Yes, for the child tax credit the child needs a Social Security number valid for employment issued before the return due date. Dependents with an ITIN may still qualify for the credit for other dependents.
Yes. The credits phase out once income passes the levels stated in the official instructions, and the schedule includes the calculation that reduces the credit above those levels.
Yes. Open it in the Universal PDF editor, enter your dependent counts and income figures, and download the finished PDF to keep with your tax records.
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