The Child Tax Credit stayed at $2,000 per child in 2024, with no expansion

The Child Tax Credit did not pass as an expanded program in 2024. The credit remained at $2,000 per may have access to child under age 17, the same amount it has been since 2018. Congress did not vote to increase it, make it fully refundable, or restore the expanded monthly payments that ended in December 2021.

What changed in 2024 was the income thresholds where the credit begins to phase out. For married couples filing jointly, the phase-out started at $400,000 of income instead of $350,000. For single filers, it started at $200,000 instead of $150,000. These thresholds adjust each year for inflation, so the 2025 amounts will be different again.

If you have a child under 17 and your income is below the phase-out threshold, you can still claim the full $2,000 credit when you file your 2024 tax return. The credit reduces the tax you owe dollar-for-dollar, and any amount left over after your tax bill hits zero may be refunded to you — but only up to $1,700 per child in 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • The Child Tax Credit remained $2,000 per child in 2024 with no legislative change to the amount or structure.
  • The income phase-out thresholds increased in 2024 to $400,000 for married couples and $200,000 for single filers, allowing more families to claim the full credit.
  • The maximum refundable portion of the credit was $1,700 per child in 2024, meaning you could receive that amount back even if you owed no tax.
  • You claim the Child Tax Credit on your 2024 tax return when you file in 2025, not through a separate monthly payment like the expanded credit offered in 2021.

Why the expanded credit from 2021 did not return

From July through December 2021, families received monthly payments of up to $300 per child under age 6 and $250 per child ages 6 to 17. This was part of the American Rescue Plan, a temporary pandemic relief measure. That program ended on December 31, 2021, and Congress has not voted to bring it back.

Several proposals to expand or restore the credit have been introduced in Congress since then, but none have passed both chambers and been signed into law. Proposals have included making the credit fully refundable (so you could receive the entire $2,000 even if you owed no tax), increasing the amount per child, or restoring monthly payments. As of 2024, the credit structure remains what it was before the pandemic expansion.

How the $2,000 credit works on your 2024 return

When you file your 2024 tax return, you list each may have access to child on Schedule 8812 (Credits for may have access to Children and Other Dependents). A child qualifies if they were under age 17 on December 31, 2024, have a valid Social Security number, lived with you for more than half the year, and you can claim them as a dependent.

The IRS subtracts $2,000 from your total tax liability for each may have access to child. If you owe $3,500 in tax and have two children, the credit reduces your bill to $1,500. If you owe $1,200 and have two children, the credit wipes out your tax bill and leaves $2,800 unclaimed — but you do not receive all of that as a refund.

The refundable portion of the credit — the part you can receive back as a refund even if you owe no tax — was limited to $1,700 per child in 2024. This limit increases slightly each year. So if you owe no tax but have two children, you could receive up to $3,400 as a refund. If you owe $500 and have two children, the credit first covers your $500 tax bill, then you receive $3,300 as a refund (up to the $3,400 limit for two children).

Income limits and phase-out rules for 2024

The full $2,000 credit is available if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below the phase-out threshold. For 2024, those thresholds were $400,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for single filers, heads of household, and may have access to widows or widowers.

If your MAGI exceeds the threshold, the credit reduces by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) over the limit. For example, if you are married filing jointly with MAGI of $401,000, you are $1,000 over the threshold. The credit reduces by $50, so you would receive $1,950 per child instead of $2,000. If your MAGI is $401,500, you are $1,500 over the threshold, which rounds up to $2,000, so the credit reduces by $100 to $1,900 per child.

Your MAGI for the Child Tax Credit is usually your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your tax return. If you received certain foreign income or excluded income, you may need to add it back. The IRS instructions for Form 1040 and Schedule 8812 show which types of income to include.

What documents you need to claim the credit

You need the Social Security number for each child you claim. The number must be valid and issued by the Social Security Administration — an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) does not work for the Child Tax Credit, even though it works for other credits.

You do not need to send documents to the IRS when you file, but you should keep records at home that prove the child lived with you for more than half the year and that you can claim them as a dependent. These might include school records, medical records, lease or mortgage documents showing your address, or utility bills. If the IRS questions your return, you will need to show these records.

If you are filing electronically through tax software or a tax professional, you enter the child's name, date of birth, and Social Security number in the software. The software calculates the credit based on your income and the number of may have access to children.

Common mistakes when claiming the credit

The most common error is claiming the credit for a child who was 17 or older on December 31, 2024. The credit applies only to children under 17 at the end of the tax year. A child who turns 17 during 2024 does not may have access to for that year.

Another frequent mistake is using an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. If you enter an ITIN, the IRS will reject the credit. Every child claimed for the Child Tax Credit must have a valid Social Security number issued before you file your return.

Some filers also claim the credit for a child who did not live with them for more than half the year. The child must have lived in your home for more than 183 days in 2024. Temporary absences for school, medical care, or vacation count as time living with you, but a child who spent most of the year with another parent or guardian does not may have access to.

Finally, some people claim the credit twice — once on their own return and once on an ex-partner's return. Only one person can claim the credit for each child in a given year. If both parents claim the same child, the IRS will disallow the credit on one of the returns and may assess penalties.

What to expect when you file your 2024 return

When you file your 2024 tax return in 2025, you will enter the Child Tax Credit information on Schedule 8812 if you have may have access to children. Tax software will walk you through the questions and calculate the credit automatically. If you use a tax professional, they will ask you for each child's name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

The IRS processes most returns within 21 days if you file electronically and choose direct deposit for your refund. If you claim the Child Tax Credit and the credit results in a refund, that refund will include the credit amount. There is no separate payment or process process — the credit is part of your regular tax return.

If the IRS has questions about your return, they may send you a notice asking for proof that the child lived with you or that you can claim them as a dependent. Keep your records for at least three years after you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the Child Tax Credit as a monthly payment in 2024?

No. Monthly payments ended in December 2021. The Child Tax Credit is now claimed only on your annual tax return when you file in 2025. You receive the credit as a reduction in your tax bill or as part of your refund, not as separate monthly payments.

What if my child was born in December 2024?

Your child qualifies for the $2,000 credit on your 2024 return if they were born on or before December 31, 2024. You will need their Social Security number, which you can obtain from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have the number by the time you file, you can file your return without claiming the credit and then file an amended return once you receive the number.

Do I lose the credit if my income goes over the phase-out threshold?

No, you do not lose it entirely. The credit reduces by $50 for each $1,000 over the threshold. If you are significantly over the limit, the credit may reduce to zero, but it phases out gradually rather than disappearing at a specific income level.

Can I claim the Child Tax Credit if my child has an ITIN?

No. The child must have a valid Social Security number. An ITIN does not work for this credit. If your child does not have a Social Security number, you can explore for one through the Social Security Administration, but you cannot claim the credit until the number is issued.

What happens if I claimed the credit and the IRS says I should not have?

The IRS will send you a notice explaining why the credit was disallowed. You can respond to the notice with documents proving the child lived with you or that you can claim them as a dependent. If you disagree with the IRS decision, you have the right to appeal through the IRS appeals process or tax court.