I have a question about my newborn — I’m not sure if I’m able to claim child on taxes. If my child was born in 2023, am I eligible to claim the child and dependent child care credit?

Yes, you are able to claim an exemption for your newborn, the child tax credit, and the dependent care credit if your child meets the dependency requirements.

Your child must have lived with you for more than half of the year. A dependent child born during the year is treated as having lived with you for more than half of the year if your home was the child’s residence for more than half of the time he or she was alive during the year.

Time the child spent in a hospital after birth won’t count against you.

You’ll need the child’s Social Security number (SSN) to file a return. If the child was born at the end of a calendar year, the SSN might not have arrived by the filing due date. If you haven’t received your child’s SSN by the due date of your return, you have two options:

• File Form 4868 to request an automatic six-month extension of time to file. You should receive the SSN during the extension period.
• File your taxes without claiming the child as a dependent. Then, file an amended return after you receive the child’s SSN. You have three years to amend the return, starting from the due date of the return or, if later, two years from the due date the tax was paid