The SE Tax (self employment tax) was created to insure that persons with pay their share of social security and medicare. Employers pay half of the required amount. Employees pay the other half from their wages automatically. This is true even if the employee files exempt from federal and state taxes. Individuals who are self employed and do not receive paychecks and W-2s have to pay the entire amount themselves in the form of the SE Tax.

The child tax credit is given to certain individuals depending on their tax status. A taxpayer can receive a credit that will increase their refund if the meet certain requirements that include having dependent children and certain income levels.

Including the SE Tax on a return will reduce the amount of refund or increase the amount of taxes owed. The child tax credit will increase a refund or reduce the amount owed. So while both can be on the same return a child tax credit will not eliminate the SE Tax.