The Child Tax Credit stayed at $2,000 per child in 2024, with no expansion
The Child Tax Credit did not expand in 2024. The amount remained $2,000 per may have access to child under age 17, the same as it has been since 2018. Congress did not pass legislation to increase it, restore the expanded payments that ended in 2021, or change how the credit works for the 2024 tax year.
This means if you have a may have access to child, you can claim $2,000 on your 2024 tax return when you file in 2025. The credit reduces the federal income tax you owe, dollar for dollar. If the credit is larger than the tax you owe, you may receive a refund for the difference, up to $1,700 per child (the refundable portion).
Key Takeaways
- The Child Tax Credit remained $2,000 per child for the 2024 tax year with no changes from 2023.
- You claim the credit on your 2024 tax return when you file between January and April 2025.
- The credit reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar, and you may receive a refund if it exceeds what you owe.
- To claim the credit, your child must be under 17 at the end of 2024 and meet income and relationship requirements.
- Proposals to expand the credit have been discussed in Congress but have not become law.
How the $2,000 credit works on your tax return
When you file your 2024 tax return, you report each may have access to child and claim $2,000 per child as a credit. A credit is different from a deduction — it reduces your tax bill directly. If you owe $3,500 in federal income tax and claim one $2,000 Child Tax Credit, your bill drops to $1,500.
The credit is partially refundable, meaning if the credit is larger than your tax bill, you get money back. The refundable portion is limited to $1,700 per child, based on your earned income. If you earned $2,500 and owe $0 in tax, you could receive up to $1,700 as a refund. The remaining $300 of the credit does not result in a refund.
You claim the credit by listing your child's name, date of birth, and Social Security number on Schedule 8812 (or Form 1040, depending on your situation) when you file. The IRS matches this information to verify your child qualifies.
Who can claim the Child Tax Credit in 2024
To claim the $2,000 credit for a child in 2024, the child must be under 17 years old at the end of the year, be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or descendant of one of these, and have a valid Social Security number. The child must also have lived with you for more than half the year (with some exceptions for temporary absences).
Your income also matters. The credit begins to reduce if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $400,000 for married couples filing jointly or $200,000 for single filers. For every $1,000 over the threshold, the credit reduces by $50. This phase-out does not affect most households.
You cannot claim the credit if someone else claims your child as a dependent on their return. Only one person can claim each child per tax year.
What changed from the expanded 2021 credit
In 2021, Congress temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit to $3,600 per child under 6 and $3,000 per child ages 6 to 16. That year, the IRS also sent monthly payments to families starting in July, rather than waiting until tax time. Those changes were temporary and expired after 2021.
The credit returned to $2,000 per child starting in 2022 and has remained there through 2024. Monthly payments also ended — the credit is now claimed only on your tax return when you file. Several proposals in Congress have aimed to restore the higher amount or bring back monthly payments, but none have passed into law as of the 2024 tax year.
Proposals that did not pass in 2024
Various bills introduced in Congress would have expanded the Child Tax Credit for 2024 and beyond, but none became law. Some proposals would have increased the credit to $3,000 or $3,600 per child. Others would have restored monthly payments or changed income limits. Because these proposals did not pass, they do not affect your 2024 taxes.
Tax law changes require both chambers of Congress to pass a bill and the President to sign it. Even if a proposal is discussed or gains support, it does not change the tax code unless it completes this process. For 2024, the credit amount and structure remain as they were in 2023.
How to claim the credit when you file your 2024 return
When you file your 2024 tax return (between January and April 2025), you will need your child's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you use tax software, it will walk you through questions about your dependents and calculate the credit for you. If you file by paper, you complete Form 1040 and Schedule 8812.
Make sure the Social Security number you report matches the name exactly as it appears on the child's Social Security card. Mismatches can delay your refund or cause the IRS to disallow the credit. If your child does not have a Social Security number, you cannot claim the credit.
If your income changed significantly in 2024 or you had a major life change (divorce, new child, custody change), double-check that you still meet the requirements. The rules are the same as in previous years, but your situation may have changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim the Child Tax Credit if my child was born in December 2024?
Yes. Your child must be under 17 at the end of 2024, which includes newborns. You will need your child's Social Security number to claim the credit. If your child was born late in the year and does not yet have a number, you can request one from the Social Security Administration or explore for one when you file your return.
What if I did not file a 2024 tax return because my income was too low?
You may still want to file to claim the Child Tax Credit, even if you had no tax bill. The refundable portion means you could receive money back. You have three years from the original due date to file and claim the credit, so you can file a late return and still receive the refund.
Does the credit change if I share custody of my child?
Only one parent can claim the credit per tax year. If you share custody, you and the other parent must decide who claims the child, or you can alternate years. The parent who claims the child must have had the child live with them for more than half the year. If you cannot agree, the IRS has tiebreaker rules based on who had the child for more nights.
Will the credit be higher in 2025?
The credit amount for 2025 depends on whether Congress passes new tax legislation before the end of 2024. As of now, the credit is set to remain $2,000 per child unless a law changes it. Check back closer to tax time or consult a tax professional if you want to know about any changes that may have passed.