[tzuchungchang]

I have 2 kids but no social security number until this year, and they lived with me from 2005. Can I claim 2006,2007,2008,2009 child credit back?

Robert

[MukatA]

Why you did not get SSN earlier?

[wnhough]

QUOTE," I have 2 kids but no social security number until this year, . . .Can I claim 2006,2007,2008,2009 child credit back?"--- First of all, your children MUST BE US citizens, resident aliens or nationals.You are able to file your amended return, 1040X, taking your child tax credit if you were eligible for it. As you know, you can amend your return for 3 years from the due date of your tax return to the IRS.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Robert:

I find it hard to believe that your children just now got their SSNs. For the past 30 years, SSNs have been issued to children at birth; the paperwork is submitted to the Social Security Administration by the hospital. This makes me wonder if they are YOUR children vice children children of your girl friend who is living with you.

It is TOO LATE to claim the children on your 2006 return; the three-year statute of limitations for claiming refunds on amended returns expired on 15 April 2010 for Tax Year 2006.

You MAY be able to claim them as dependents if they lived with you for the entire year for 2007, 2008 and 2009 AND you provided more than half of their total support. However, you CANNOT claim the $1,000 Child Tax Credit unless they are legally your children, either by biology or by adoption.

[tzuchungchang]

Tanks!
First, Me and my kids got the citizenship this year.(Before,I am green-card holder.)
Second,I claimed my kids as dependents every years.(They had tax number from IRS ,but I never claim them for child credit.)

Robert

[MukatA]

Yes, you can claim child tax credit on amended tax return Form 1040X. For 2006, you will not get it. For 2007 file on or before April 15, 2011.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Agreed; you CAN claim the $1,000 Child Tax Credit for children with ITINs.