{"id":26427,"date":"2026-10-07T01:36:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T06:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/?p=26427"},"modified":"2026-10-07T12:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T17:37:28","slug":"claiming-child-on-taxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/around-block\/offers\/claiming-child-on-taxes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to claim a newborn on your taxes: credits & requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Congratulations on your new addition! Along with all the excitement of welcoming a new baby comes a few extra tax considerations. The good news? You may be able to claim your newborn for certain tax benefits if you and your baby meet the requirements for that benefit. This may be true even if your child was born on the last day of the tax year (December 31).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need your baby\u2019s Social Security number and other tax documents before you file. You\u2019ll also need to determine who is eligible to claim the child if more than one person could qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First steps and dependent requirements when claiming a newborn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having a baby often comes with paperwork, including a few important tax-related steps. Start by getting your baby\u2019s Social Security number and confirming who is eligible to claim the child for each applicable tax benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Apply for a Social Security number<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apply for your baby\u2019s Social Security number as soon as possible. You\u2019ll typically need it to identify your child on your federal income tax return and claim child-related tax credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you give birth in a hospital, you can usually request a Social Security number as part of the birth registration process. You can also apply through the Social Security Administration using Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if you haven\u2019t received your baby\u2019s Social Security number yet?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your baby\u2019s Social Security number hasn\u2019t arrived by the tax filing deadline, consider filing Form 4868 to request an automatic six-month filing extension<\/a> for your tax return. For the Child Tax Credit, the qualifying child\u2019s valid Social Security number usually must be issued by the due date of the return, including extensions. Remember that requesting an automatic extension doesn\u2019t extend your time to pay any taxes owed; you\u2019ll need to pay any taxes by the due date of your return or you may receive a penalty for failing to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t assume you can file without your child and simply amend the return later. If the Social Security number wasn\u2019t issued by the applicable due date, including extensions, an amended return may not preserve eligibility for credits with a timely Social Security number requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Determine who can claim the baby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before claiming a tax benefit related to your newborn or older child, make sure the child meets the qualifying-child rules for that benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A qualifying child<\/a> typically must meet the applicable requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n