CTC not living in the US?

[Possi]

Client lives in Germany with her German spouse. He is not a US citizen, no SS number, no link to US.

She (client) has a rental that has been BEING RENOVATED for years, and has just now (2021) become habitable and rented. 

Her gross receipts are $13,200, netting a loss. She has no other income.

Since her gross receipts are $13,200 and the property is in MD, she is required to file Federal and MD. 

She has 3 children, 2 of whom have SS numbers. 

She is qualifying for the stimulus payment filing MFS with zero exemptions. 

Am I doing her an injustice by not putting her 2 children with SS numbers on her return? No EIC of course, but what about the child tax credit? 

It sounds crazy that I am even asking this question, but these are crazy times. 

Donna

[TexTaxToo]

CTC for those residing outside the U.S. is non-refundable, so she would need to have a tax liability to benefit.

ACTC is available as a refundable credit, but requires earned income.

But why wouldn't you include the children to claim RRC for them?

[Possi]

2 hours ago, TexTaxToo said:

CTC for those residing outside the U.S. is non-refundable, so she would need to have a tax liability to benefit.

ACTC is available as a refundable credit, but requires earned income.

But why wouldn't you include the children to claim RRC for them?

... why? Because I don't know why. I'm fried. Yes, that's why. THANK YOU for smacking some sense in me. 

[Catherine]

1 hour ago, Possi said:

I don't know why. I'm fried. Yes, that's why.

You and me and most of us here. Fortunately, we are all fried in slightly different ways!

[Pacun]

welcome to the "fried club".

 

[Gail in Virginia]

Since I am below the Mason-Dixon line, does that make me Southern Fried?

[Catherine]

who gets to be fricasseed? 

[Bart]

Kansas City BBQ fried is best but cannot think any better than any of you.