Child-Related Tax Tips and Benefits

Having a child is a significant milestone, and during tax season, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® is reminding parents that there are many valuable tax benefits available to taxpayers with children.

“Parents know that having children can be expensive, but come tax time they can also be money savers,” said Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services Inc. “For many hard-working American families, child-related tax credits can bring back significant, and much needed, refund dollars. The first step is to make sure your children meet the qualifying criteria, which include age, relationship, support, dependent status, citizenship and residence. A qualified tax preparer with current knowledge of tax laws can work with you to determine eligibility.”

For taxpayers with children getting ready to file their 2011 returns, here are some child-related tax tips and benefits for which you may be eligible:

The Child Tax Credit – The Child Tax Credit is a non-refundable credit that provides up to $1,000 for each qualifying child under age 17 at the end of the year. Generally, a child qualifies if he or she is a U.S. citizen or resident for some part of the year, lived with the taxpayer for more than half of the year, did not provide more than half of their own support and is claimed as a dependent.

The Additional Child Tax Credit – The Additional Child Tax Credit is any remaining Child Tax Credit for which the taxpayer is eligible after the Child Tax Credit is used. Taxpayers can receive this remaining credit as a refund, which is equal to the amount left of the remaining Child Tax Credit (after the taxpayer’s taxes have been reduced to zero), or 15 percent of their earned income over $3,000.

Education Credits and Benefits – Parents who are paying a child’s qualified tuition and related higher education expenses may be able to take advantage of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which requires the student to be enrolled at least half-time in one of the first four years of post-secondary education. The credit can be up to $2,500 per eligible student. If the student does not meet the requirements for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, they may be able to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit. Alternatively, parents may choose to claim the Tuition and Fees Deduction for a child, which covers up to $4,000 in expenses for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution, and is available to those with a modified adjusted gross income of less than $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing jointly).

Adoption Credits – Those who adopt a child and pay adoption expenses may be eligible for a refundable credit of up to $13,360 in expenses per child. If the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income is over $185,210, the credit begins to be phased out. The credit is not available to those with a modified adjusted gross income of $225,210, or more.

For more information, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com.

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