U.S. · Schedule 8812 line 6
Schedule 8812 line 6, other dependents.
Who goes on line 6, who is left off, and what line 7 adds.
Schedule 8812 line 6 is the number of other dependents, including any qualifying children who are not under age 17 or who do not have the required Social Security number. Each one is worth $500 on line 7. Do not include yourself, your spouse, anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien, or anyone you already counted on line 4.
Work out line 6
Result
Reference table
| Person | Line on Schedule 8812 |
|---|---|
| Child under 17 with the required SSN | Line 4, worth $2,200 on line 5. |
| Child age 17 or older at the end of 2025 | Line 6, worth $500 on line 7. |
| Child under 17 without the required SSN | Line 6, if the person meets the other dependent tests. |
| Other relative who is your dependent | Line 6, if a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien with an SSN, ITIN or ATIN. |
| Yourself or your spouse | Never counted on line 6. |
| Someone already on line 4 | Never counted twice. |
What the instructions say
For line 6 you add the number of “Credit for other dependents” boxes checked in row (7) of the Dependents section on Form 1040 or 1040-SR (row (6) on Form 1040-NR). The instructions add that you cannot check both the child tax credit box and the credit for other dependents box for the same person.
The four conditions
The instructions list conditions for the credit for other dependents: the person is claimed as a dependent on your return; you cannot use the person to claim the child tax credit or additional child tax credit; the person was a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien; and the person has an SSN, ITIN or ATIN issued on or before the due date of your return, including extensions.
A common mistake
Their example: a sibling’s 10-year-old child who lives in Mexico may qualify as your dependent, but because the child is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien, you cannot use the child for the credit for other dependents. That person does not belong on line 6.
Worked example
You have one 8-year-old with an SSN and two other dependents: a 19-year-old student and your mother. Line 4 is 1 and line 6 is 2. Line 5 is $2,200, line 7 is $1,000 (2 x $500) and line 8 is $3,200 before any income reduction. Figures are illustrative.
Limits of this page
Whether someone is your dependent depends on the dependent tests in the Form 1040 instructions. This page only multiplies line 6 by $500; the credit for other dependents is also limited by your tax and cannot be refunded through the additional child tax credit.
Sources
- Instructions for Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) (2025): Line-by-line instructions, worksheets and limits. Read November 2, 2026.
- Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) (2025): The form itself, for exact line wording. Read November 2, 2026.
These are the tax year 2025 edition instructions and forms (published for returns filed in 2026). The IRS revises them each year, so thresholds, line numbers and limits can change; check the current edition before relying on a figure.
Frequently asked questions
What goes on line 6 of Schedule 8812?
Other dependents, including qualifying children who are 17 or older or who lack the required Social Security number.
How much is each other dependent worth?
Line 7 multiplies line 6 by $500.
Can I count the same person on lines 4 and 6?
No. The form says not to include anyone you included on line 4.
Does a dependent need an SSN?
The person needs an SSN, ITIN or ATIN issued on or before your return’s due date, including extensions.
Which tax year is this?
The 2025 edition of Schedule 8812 and its instructions.
Not tax or legal advice
This page summarizes IRS instructions and is not tax, legal or financial advice. A CPA, enrolled agent or the IRS can confirm what applies to your situation. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.