The Child Tax Credit amount for 2024 is $2,000 per child under age 17
The Child Tax Credit reduces your federal income tax dollar-for-dollar. If you owe $3,000 in tax and you have one may have access to child, the $2,000 credit brings what you owe down to $1,000. The credit applies to children under 17 at the end of the tax year, and you claim it on your tax return when you file.
This $2,000 amount has been in place since 2018. It does not change year to year unless Congress passes new legislation. For the 2025 tax year (which you file in early 2026), the amount remains $2,000 per child unless a new law takes effect before then.
The credit is not the same as a deduction. A deduction reduces your taxable income; a credit reduces your tax bill itself. That makes the credit more valuable — a $2,000 credit saves you $2,000 in tax, regardless of your tax bracket.
Key Takeaways
- The Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per may have access to child for 2024, and this amount has stayed the same since 2018.
- You must have a child under 17 at the end of the tax year, claim them as a dependent, and have a valid Social Security number for them to receive the credit.
- The credit begins to phase out when your income exceeds $400,000 (married filing jointly) or $200,000 (single or head of household).
- Part of the credit may be refundable, meaning you can receive money back even if you owe no tax, up to $1,700 per child for 2024.
Income limits and how the credit phases out
The full $2,000 credit is available if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) stays below certain thresholds. For married couples filing jointly, the threshold is $400,000. For single filers and heads of household, it is $200,000. If your income exceeds these amounts, the credit shrinks by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction of $1,000) over the limit.
This phase-out applies to your 2024 return if you file in 2025. The same thresholds explore to the 2025 tax year. The IRS does not adjust these thresholds for inflation, so they remain fixed at $400,000 and $200,000 unless Congress changes the law.
Example: A married couple filing jointly with MAGI of $420,000 is $20,000 over the $400,000 threshold. The credit reduces by $50 × 21 (rounding up $20,000 ÷ $1,000) = $1,050. Their credit per child becomes $950 instead of $2,000.
The refundable portion of the credit
Part of the Child Tax Credit is refundable, which means you can receive a payment even if you owe no federal tax. The refundable portion is called the Additional Child Tax Credit, and for 2024 it is limited to $1,700 per child.
If your tax liability is less than $2,000 per child, you may receive the difference as a refund. For instance, if you owe $500 in tax and have one may have access to child, the $2,000 credit covers your $500 liability and leaves $1,500. You can receive up to $1,700 of that $1,500 as a refund (in this case, $1,500).
To claim the refundable portion, you must have earned income — wages, self-employment income, or certain other income. If you have no earned income, you cannot receive the refundable part, though you can still use the non-refundable $2,000 to reduce any tax you owe.
Who qualifies as a dependent child for this credit
Your child must meet five tests to count toward the Child Tax Credit. First, they must be under 17 at the end of the tax year. Second, they must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant of any of these (such as a grandchild or niece). Third, they must live with you for more than half the year. Fourth, you must claim them as a dependent on your return. Fifth, they must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien with a valid Social Security number.
A child who turns 17 on December 31 of the tax year still qualifies for that year's credit. A child who turns 17 on January 1 does not may have access to. The Social Security number requirement is strict — the IRS will reject the credit if the number is missing or incorrect.
If your child was born during the tax year, they still count if they meet the other tests. If you are divorced or separated, the parent who claims the child as a dependent on their return is the one who can claim the credit, even if the other parent has custody.
How to claim the credit on your tax return
You claim the Child Tax Credit on Form 1040 (the main individual income tax return) using Schedule 8812 if you are claiming the refundable portion. If you only need the non-refundable credit to reduce your tax liability, you may be able to claim it directly on Form 1040 without Schedule 8812, depending on your tax software or preparer.
You will need your child's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The name and number must match the Social Security Administration's records exactly. If there is a mismatch, the IRS will disallow the credit and may delay your refund while they investigate.
If you file electronically using tax software, the software will guide you through the questions and calculate the credit for you. If you file by paper, you fill in the child's information on Schedule 8812 and attach it to your Form 1040. Either way, keep copies of your child's birth certificate and Social Security card for your records in case the IRS asks questions later.
What happens if your circumstances change mid-year
The credit is based on your situation on December 31 of the tax year. If a child turns 17 on that date, they do not count. If a child dies during the year, they still count if they were under 17 when they died and met the other tests. If you divorce or separate, the parent who claims the child as a dependent receives the credit.
If you had a child in 2024 and did not receive advance payments (see below), you claim the full credit when you file your 2024 return in 2025. If you received advance payments during 2024 based on your 2023 income, those payments reduce the credit you can claim on your 2024 return. The IRS will send you a letter showing how much you received.
If you move to a different state or country during the year, it does not affect your may be able to access for the federal credit. State credits, if your state offers them, may have different rules.
Advance payments and reconciliation
In some years, the IRS has sent advance Child Tax Credit payments to families before they filed their tax return. These payments were based on the prior year's tax return or information provided through an IRS portal. For 2024, there were no advance payments. If you received advance payments in a prior year, you must reconcile them on your current return — meaning you report how much you received and adjust your credit claim accordingly.
If you received more in advance payments than you were may have access to to based on your actual 2024 income, you may owe money back when you file. If you received less than you were may have access to to, you receive the difference as part of your refund. The reconciliation happens automatically if you file electronically; if you file by paper, you use Form 8812 to report the advance payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim the credit for a child who is not a U.S. citizen?
No. The child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien. They must also have a valid Social Security number. If your child has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, they do not count for this credit, though they may count for other credits.
What if my child's Social Security number is wrong on my return?
The IRS will reject the credit. You must file an amended return with the correct number. If you do not have a Social Security number for your child yet, you can file your return without claiming the credit and amend it once you receive the number. Do not guess or use a placeholder.
Do I lose the credit if my income is too high?
You do not lose it entirely, but it shrinks. The credit phases out by $50 for every $1,000 over the income threshold ($400,000 for married filing jointly, $200,000 for single). If your income is far above the threshold, the credit may reduce to zero, but you will not owe extra tax.
Can I claim the credit if I do not file a tax return?
You must file a return to claim the credit. If you have no tax liability and no income, you still need to file to receive the refundable portion. Filing is free through the IRS Free File program if your income is below a certain level.
What if I share custody of my child with another parent?
Only the parent who claims the child as a dependent on their tax return can claim the credit. If you and the other parent alternate years, each of you claims the credit in your designated year. If you both claim the same child, the IRS will disallow one of the credits and may delay both refunds while they investigate.