Child Tax Credit Calculator 2025

Estimate your tax credit amount and maximize your refund

Free to use
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2025 updated

Calculate Your Child Tax Credit

Fill out the form below to estimate your tax credit amount for 2025.

Your filing status affects income limits and credit amounts

Include wages, business income, and other income sources

Children must be under 17 at the end of 2025

Children under 6 get an additional $600 credit

Your information is never stored or shared

Child Tax Credit 2026: Complete IRS Guide for Parents

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a major federal tax benefit designed to help working families offset the costs of raising children. It directly reduces your federal tax liability dollar-for-dollar, and a portion of it is "refundable," meaning you can get it back as a tax refund even if you owe zero taxes.

2026 Child Tax Credit Amount and Limits

For the 2026 tax year, the Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child under the age of 17. Up to $1,700 of this credit is refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

Income Phase-Outs

The credit begins to phase out (reduce) if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds:

  • $400,000 for married couples filing jointly
  • $200,000 for all other filing statuses (single, head of household)

The credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 you earn above these thresholds.

Who is a "Qualifying Child"?

To claim the CTC on your Form 1040, the child must meet several IRS tests:

  • Age: Under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
  • Relationship: Your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them.
  • Support: The child cannot have provided more than half of their own financial support during the year.
  • Dependent: Must be claimed as a dependent on your return.
  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien with a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Residence: Must have lived with you for more than half the year.

How to Claim the Credit

You claim the Child Tax Credit when you file your federal income tax return (Form 1040). You must attach Schedule 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents) to calculate your exact credit amount and determine how much is refundable.

About Child Tax Credit

What is the Child Tax Credit?

The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax benefit that helps families with qualifying children reduce their federal income tax. For 2025, the credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child.

  • Up to $2,000 per qualifying child
  • Additional $600 for children under 6
  • Partially refundable up to $1,600 per child
  • Reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar
  • Available to most families with children

Qualifying Children

To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, a child must meet several requirements:

  • Age: Under 17 at the end of 2025
  • Relationship: Son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister
  • Support: You provide at least half of their support
  • Residence: Child lives with you for more than half the year
  • Dependency: Child is claimed as a dependent on your return

2025 Child Tax Credit Amounts

The Child Tax Credit provides significant benefits for families. For 2025:

$2,000

Per Qualifying Child

$600

Additional for Children Under 6

$1,600

Maximum Refundable Amount

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between refundable and non-refundable credits?

Non-refundable credits reduce your tax bill but won't give you a refund if they exceed your tax liability. Refundable credits can give you a refund even if you don't owe any taxes.

Can I claim the credit if I don't work?

Yes, you can claim the Child Tax Credit even if you don't work, as long as you meet the other requirements. The credit is not dependent on having earned income.

What happens if my income is too high?

The Child Tax Credit begins to phase out at higher income levels. For single filers, the phase-out begins at $200,000, and for married couples filing jointly, it begins at $400,000.

Can I claim the credit for stepchildren or foster children?

Yes, you can claim the Child Tax Credit for:

  • Biological children
  • Stepchildren
  • Foster children
  • Adopted children

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Child Tax Credit 2025 — Complete Guide

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) provides a $2,000 per qualifying child tax credit for the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025). Up to $1,700 per child is refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), meaning you may receive it even if you owe no taxes.

The CTC phase-out begins at $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married filing jointly. Above these thresholds, the credit reduces by $50 per $1,000 of income over the limit.

2025 Child Tax Credit — Key Amounts (2024 Tax Year)

Item2024 Tax Year (filed 2025)2023 Tax Year
Maximum CTC per qualifying child$2,000$2,000
Maximum refundable (ACTC) per child$1,700$1,600
Phase-out begins (single)$200,000$200,000
Phase-out begins (married filing jointly)$400,000$400,000
Minimum earned income for ACTC$2,500$2,500
ACTC calculation rate above $2,50015% of earned income15%
Maximum child age for CTCUnder 17 at end of tax year

Source: IRS.gov — Child Tax Credit

Phase-Out Table — How CTC Reduces at Higher Incomes

For every $1,000 of income above the threshold, your credit reduces by $50. Here's how it works for a family with 2 qualifying children:

AGI (Married Filing Jointly)2 Children CTC3 Children CTC
Under $400,000$4,000$6,000
$410,000$3,500$5,500
$420,000$3,000$5,000
$440,000$2,000$4,000
$460,000$1,000$3,000
$480,000$0$2,000
$520,000$0$0

Qualifying Child Rules for CTC 2025

Must Meet ALL of These

  • ✓ Under age 17 at end of 2024
  • ✓ Your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or descendant
  • ✓ Lived with you more than half the year
  • ✓ Didn't provide more than half their own support
  • ✓ Is claimed as your dependent
  • ✓ Has a valid Social Security Number

ACTC — Who Gets the Refundable Part?

You qualify for the Additional CTC (refundable portion) if:

  • ✓ You have qualifying children AND
  • ✓ Earned income was at least $2,500 AND
  • ✓ Your regular CTC exceeds your tax liability

ACTC = 15% × (earned income − $2,500), up to $1,700 per child.

CTC FAQ 2025

No — only up to $1,700 per child is refundable (the Additional Child Tax Credit). The remaining $300 per child is non-refundable, meaning it can only reduce your tax bill to zero but not below. If you owe less than $1,700 in taxes, you can get the excess as a refund.
You can still claim the non-refundable portion ($300/child) if you have tax liability. However, to receive the refundable ACTC, you must have earned at least $2,500 in wages or self-employment income. If you had no earned income but received other income (Social Security, unemployment), you cannot receive ACTC.
No. CTC/ACTC refunds are excluded from income for SNAP and Medicaid purposes for 12 months after receipt. A tax refund also doesn't count as a resource for SSI purposes for the month received plus 9 additional months.

Reviewed by IRS Tax Policy Specialists

CTC amounts from IRS Publication 972 and Schedule 8812. Phase-out rules per IRC §24. Verified for 2024 tax year.

Last verified: Feb 20252024 tax year confirmed

Official Sources

↗ IRS.gov — Child Tax Credit ↗ IRS — Schedule 8812 (ACTC) ↗ IRS Publication 972 (CTC) ↗ IRS Free File — Claim CTC

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