In this section:
- You have children - can you get tax credits for them?
- Help with childcare costs - do you qualify for extra tax credits?
- What is registered or approved childcare for tax credits?
- Children with disabilities - can you get extra tax credits?
- Can you get tax credits if you're not the child's parent
Can you get tax credits if you're not the child's parent
You don't have to be a child's natural parent to get Child Tax Credit.
On this page:
- Who can claim Child Tax Credit?
- Tax credits if you adopt or foster a child
- Contact the Tax Credit Office
- More useful links
Who can claim Child Tax Credit?
You can claim Child Tax Credit if you have responsibility for a child. Here are some ways of working out whether you are responsible for a child:
- they usually live with you
- they keep their toys, clothes and so on at your home
- you pay for their meals and give them pocket money
- you are the main contact for their school
- you look after their health, organising visits to the doctor or dentist
- you have legal custody
If you're not sure whether you count as being responsible for a child you can call the Tax Credit Helpline for advice.
Example one
Sarah is a single parent with twin boys. After a while, Sarah and the boys move in with her new partner, James, and his son. Because she has a new partner, Sarah has to make a new joint claim for tax credits with James. As the main carer of all three boys, Sarah can claim tax credits for James' son as well as her own two children.
Example two
Aileen has a child while she is still at school. With the support of her parents, who look after the baby, she continues her education while still living at home.
Aileen's parents claim tax credits for the baby. Because Aileen is under 16 and her parents continue to look after her, they can get tax credits for her as well.
Tax credits if you adopt or foster a child
You may be entitled to tax credits for a child that you adopt or foster.
If you are getting money from your local authority or Health and Social
Services Board you should call the Tax Credit Helpline to find out if
you can claim.
Contact the Tax Credit Office
If you need more help you can call the Tax Credit Helpline which is open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The numbers you can ring are:
- Tel 0845 300 3900
- Textphone 0845 300 3909 - if you are deaf or have a speech impairment
If you’re calling from overseas you can also contact the Tax Credit Office on Tel + 44 289 053 8192.
More useful links
Find out who can claim tax credits if your child has a child
Find out about making a claim if your partner leaves or a new partner moves in
Your child lives at more than one addresss - claiming tax credits
