What the Child Tax Credit looks like in 2024
The Child Tax Credit in 2024 works differently than it did during 2021–2022, when the IRS sent monthly payments to families. Right now, the credit exists as a tax deduction you claim when you file your 2024 tax return — not as advance payments sent throughout the year.
If you have a child under 17 at the end of 2024, you may be able to reduce your federal income tax by up to $2,000 per child when you file in 2025. The credit phases out for higher earners, so the amount you receive depends on your household income. You do not receive this money upfront; instead, it lowers the tax you owe or increases your refund.
This is a significant change from 2021 and 2022, when families received half the credit as monthly payments from July through December. That expanded version of the credit expired at the end of 2022, and Congress has not extended it for 2024.
Key Takeaways
- The Child Tax Credit in 2024 is claimed on your tax return filed in 2025, not received as monthly payments during the year.
- You can reduce your federal tax by up to $2,000 per child under 17, though the amount phases out as household income rises.
- The expanded monthly payments that ran from 2021 through 2022 are no longer available.
- To claim the credit, you need your child's Social Security number, proof of relationship, and documentation of your household income.
- If you owe no federal tax, the credit may still result in a refund, though the refundable portion has limits.
How the credit reduces your 2024 tax bill
When you file your 2024 tax return in early 2025, you will report each may have access to child on your return. The IRS then subtracts $2,000 from the federal income tax you owe for each child. If you owe $3,500 in tax and have two children, the credit reduces that to $1,500.
The credit is partially refundable, which means if the credit is larger than the tax you owe, you may receive the difference as a refund. However, the refundable portion is capped at $1,700 per child for 2024. This limit changes slightly each year based on inflation.
For example, if you owe $800 in federal tax and have one child, the $2,000 credit first eliminates your $800 tax bill. The remaining $1,200 can be refunded to you, but only up to the $1,700 refundable limit — so you would receive a $1,200 refund. If you owed no tax at all, you could still receive up to $1,700 as a refund from the refundable portion.
Income limits and phase-out thresholds
The full $2,000 credit per child is available if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) falls below certain thresholds. For 2024, those thresholds are $400,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for single filers and heads of household.
Once your income exceeds these thresholds, the credit begins to phase out. For every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) over the limit, the credit reduces by $50 per child. This means higher-income families receive a smaller credit or no credit at all.
Your MAGI is usually your adjusted gross income from your tax return. If you are unsure whether you fall within the phase-out range, you can calculate it using your prior-year return or speak with a tax professional who can review your specific situation.
Who can claim the credit for each child
To claim the Child Tax Credit for a child, that child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or descendant of any of these relationships. The child must have lived with you for more than half of 2024, be under 17 at the end of 2024, and be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien.
You must also have a valid Social Security number for the child and be able to claim them as a dependent on your return. If multiple people could claim the same child — such as in a custody situation — only one person can claim the credit. The IRS generally allows the person with primary custody to claim it, but you may need to provide documentation.
If you are unsure whether a child meets the relationship or residency requirements, the IRS website has detailed worksheets that walk through each condition. A tax professional can also review your situation if the rules are unclear.
How to claim the credit when you file
When you file your 2024 tax return, you will report the Child Tax Credit on Schedule 8812 (if you need to calculate the refundable portion) or directly on your main tax form if you are using tax software. Most tax software walks you through the questions and fills in the right forms automatically.
You will need to provide each child's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Have your Social Security card or a document showing the number ready when you sit down to file. You will also need to confirm your relationship to the child and that they lived with you for the required time.
If you file on paper, you will complete Form 1040 and Schedule 8812, then mail them to the IRS address for your state. If you use tax software or a tax professional, they handle the forms for you — you just answer the questions about your children and income.
What changed from 2021 and 2022
From July 2021 through December 2022, families with children received half the Child Tax Credit as monthly payments. A family with one child under 6 received $300 per month; a child 6 to 16 brought $250 per month. These payments were automatic for families who had filed a 2020 tax return, though others had to register.
That expanded credit and the monthly payment structure ended on December 31, 2022. Congress did not extend it for 2023 or 2024, so the credit returned to its pre-2021 form: a one-time deduction claimed on your tax return, with a $2,000 limit per child and lower refundable limits.
Some proposals in Congress would restore the monthly payments or expand the credit again, but as of now, no such changes are in effect for 2024. If you are counting on monthly payments like you received before, you will instead need to claim the credit on your 2024 tax return filed in 2025.
What to do if your income or family situation changed
If your household income dropped significantly in 2024 compared to 2023, you may now be within the income limits to claim the full credit, even if you could not claim it before. Similarly, if you had a new child in 2024, that child qualifies for the credit on your 2024 return.
If your income was very high in 2024 and you expect to phase out of the credit, you can still claim whatever portion you are may have access to to. The phase-out is automatic — the IRS calculates it based on your reported income when you file.
If your situation is complex — such as a custody change, a new marriage, or a foster child who joined your household partway through the year — gather documentation showing the dates and relationships. A tax professional can help you determine which children you can claim and how the credit applies to your specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get the Child Tax Credit as a payment in 2024?
No. In 2024, the credit is claimed on your tax return filed in 2025, not sent as monthly payments. You receive the benefit when you file and either owe less tax or receive a larger refund. The monthly payment option that existed in 2021–2022 is no longer available.
What if I did not file a tax return in 2023 or 2024?
You can still claim the Child Tax Credit on your 2024 return filed in 2025. You do not need to have filed in prior years. However, if you have not filed in several years and owe back taxes, you may want to speak with a tax professional about your overall situation before filing.
Can I claim the credit if my child has a different last name than me?
Yes, as long as the child meets the relationship and residency requirements and you can claim them as a dependent. You will need to provide their Social Security number and be prepared to document your relationship if the IRS questions it. A birth certificate or adoption papers can serve as proof.
What happens if my income is above the phase-out limit?
The credit reduces by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction of $1,000) your income exceeds the threshold. You may still receive a partial credit. Calculate your phase-out using the IRS worksheet, or ask a tax professional to determine the exact amount you can claim.
If I owe no federal tax, do I still get money from this credit?
You may. The refundable portion of the credit — up to $1,700 per child for 2024 — can result in a refund even if you owe no tax. The non-refundable portion ($300 per child) only helps if you owe tax. A tax professional can calculate your total refund based on your income and situation.