Family and Dependents Tax Checklist: Credits, Care Costs and Records

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For every dependent 0 of 5

• Social Security number or ITIN — for the child tax credit, a valid SSN is required by the return due date; see requirements
• Date of birth and age at year-end — the child tax credit requires under 17
• Months lived with you — residency test: more than half the year
• Support information — who paid more than half of the child’s support
• Custody details — Form 8332 if the noncustodial parent claims the child

Credits to check 0 of 6

• Child tax credit — $2,200 per qualifying child for 2025; part refundable
• Credit for other dependents — up to $500 for dependents who don’t qualify for the CTC
• Earned income tax credit — see EITC rules
• Child and dependent care credit — requires provider name, address and tax ID
• Education credits — Form 1098-T and tuition records
• Adoption credit — records of qualified adoption expenses, if applicable

Care and education records 0 of 5

• Daycare and after-school receipts — amounts paid in the calendar year
• Dependent care FSA statements — tax-free benefits reduce the expenses for the credit
• College tuition and fees — 1098-T plus receipts for books and required supplies
• 529 plan distributions (1099-Q) — qualified use rules apply
• Student loan interest (1098-E) — see limits

Health coverage 0 of 3

• Form 1095-A (marketplace plans) — needed to reconcile premium tax credits
• HSA and FSA records — see HSA limits
• Medical expense totals — only helpful if you itemize

Filing choices 0 of 3

• Filing status — see how to choose
• W-4 review — use Step 3 for dependents so withholding is accurate; see W-4 guide
• State credits — many states have child, dependent or renter’s credits; check your state agency

Keep for audits 0 of 3

• School, medical or landlord records — show where the child lived
• Support worksheets — if you’re claiming a relative
• Copy of the filed return — keep at least three years

Official sources

• IRS: Child Tax Credit
• IRS: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• IRS Topic 602: Child and dependent care credit
• IRS Publication 501: Dependents, standard deduction, filing information
• IRS Publication 970: Tax benefits for education