What if my dependent was born or died in 2025?

You may take the Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents for each of your dependents who was alive at any point during 2025. This includes a baby born in 2025 or a dependent who died in 2025.

If your dependent was born in 2025, answer Yes to the question that asks if your dependent lived with you for all of 2025. For instance, if your child was born in October of 2025 and lived with you for the rest of the year, you can answer that the child lived with you for all of 2025.

If your dependent died in 2025 and lived with you while they were alive, you can indicate that the dependent lived with you for all of 2025. If your child didn't live with you while they were alive, you can enter 7 or more months if they lived with you for more than half of the time they were alive. If your child wasn't born alive, you can't claim them as a dependent. However, you should still enter them on the dependent screens if your state has tax credits or deductions for stillborn babies.

If your dependent was born in 2026, don't include them on your 2025 return. You'll include them on your 2026 return next year.