The 2024 child tax credit is $2,000 per child under age 17

The Child Tax Credit for the 2024 tax year allows you to reduce your federal income tax by $2,000 for each child under age 17 at the end of the year. This is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of what you owe, not a deduction from your income — which makes it more valuable than most other tax breaks.

The credit applies to children who are your biological children, stepchildren, adopted children, or foster children. They must have a valid Social Security number, live with you for more than half the year, and be claimed as dependents on your return. You cannot claim the credit for a child who files their own return and claims a personal exemption.

The $2,000 amount has stayed the same since 2018. Congress set it to expire after 2025 unless lawmakers extend it, so the amount may change for the 2026 tax year and beyond.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim $2,000 per child under age 17 on your 2024 return, reducing your tax dollar-for-dollar.
  • The child must have a valid Social Security number, live with you more than half the year, and be your dependent.
  • Your income determines whether you receive the full $2,000 or a reduced amount through phase-out rules.
  • If the credit is larger than the tax you owe, you may receive a refund of up to $1,700 per child through the refundable portion.
  • You report the credit on Schedule 8812 and attach it to your Form 1040 when you file.

Income limits that reduce the credit amount

The full $2,000 credit begins to shrink once your income exceeds a threshold. For 2024, that threshold is $400,000 if you are married filing jointly, $200,000 if you are single or head of household, and $200,000 if you are married filing separately.

Once your income passes the threshold, the credit decreases by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction of $1,000) of income above the limit. This means the reduction happens in $50 increments, not smoothly. If you are single with income of $201,000, you lose $50 from the credit. At $202,000, you lose another $50, for a total reduction of $100.

The phase-out continues until the credit reaches zero. For a single filer, the credit phases out completely around $440,000 in income. For married filing jointly, it phases out around $640,000.

The refundable portion: getting money back if you owe no tax

The Child Tax Credit has two parts: a non-refundable portion and a refundable portion. The non-refundable part reduces your tax bill to zero. If you still have credit left over after your tax reaches zero, the refundable part — called the Additional Child Tax Credit — can give you a refund.

For 2024, the refundable portion is limited to $1,700 per child. This means if you owe $500 in tax and have two children, the credit first wipes out your $500 tax bill, then the refundable portion can give you back up to $3,400 (two children × $1,700). However, the refundable amount is also subject to income limits and other rules.

To receive the refundable portion, you must have earned income — wages, self-employment income, or other work-related earnings. Investment income, Social Security, or unemployment benefits do not count as earned income for this purpose.

How to claim the credit on your tax return

You report the Child Tax Credit on Schedule 8812 (Credits for may have access to Children and Other Dependents), which you attach to your Form 1040. The schedule asks for each child's name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

You will also need to enter information about yourself — your filing status, income, and the number of may have access to children. The IRS uses this information to calculate whether you receive the full credit or a reduced amount based on the phase-out rules.

If you use tax software, it typically walks you through the questions and fills in Schedule 8812 automatically. If you file by hand, you can read the blank form from IRS.gov and follow the instructions on the back of the schedule.

Other dependents and the $500 credit

If you have dependents who do not may have access to for the $2,000 Child Tax Credit — such as a child age 17 or older, a parent, or a grandparent — you may be able to claim a Credit for Other Dependents of $500 per person.

This credit has the same income phase-out rules as the Child Tax Credit but is not refundable. It can only reduce your tax bill to zero; you cannot receive a refund. You report this credit on the same Schedule 8812 form.

Changes from prior years and what to expect in 2025

The $2,000 per-child amount has been in place since 2018. Before that, the credit was $1,000 per child. The refundable portion was expanded in 2021 to $1,600 per child but was reduced back to $1,700 for 2024 (it was $1,600 in 2023).

Congress has not yet passed legislation extending the credit beyond 2025. If no action is taken, the credit is scheduled to drop back to $1,000 per child starting in 2026. Tax laws can change, so it is worth checking IRS.gov or consulting a tax professional closer to when you file for 2025 and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim the credit for a child who turned 17 during 2024?

No. The child must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year (December 31, 2024) to may have access to for the $2,000 credit. If your child turned 17 on December 31, 2024, they do not may have access to. However, you may be able to claim the $500 Credit for Other Dependents if they meet the dependent requirements.

What if my child does not have a Social Security number yet?

Your child must have a valid Social Security number to claim the credit. If you are expecting a number soon, you can file your return without the credit and then file an amended return (Form 1040-X) once the number arrives. Some tax software allows you to add the number later and resubmit electronically.

Do I lose the credit if my income is too high?

The credit phases out at high income levels, but it does not disappear completely until your income reaches approximately $440,000 (single) or $640,000 (married filing jointly). Most households receive the full $2,000 per child. The phase-out reduces the credit by $50 for every $1,000 over the threshold.

Can I claim the credit if my child lives with their other parent?

Only one parent can claim the credit per child. The child must live with you for more than half the year. If the child lives equally with both parents, the parent with the higher adjusted gross income typically claims the credit, unless you have a written agreement stating otherwise.

Is the refundable portion the same as a tax refund?

The refundable portion of the credit (up to $1,700 per child) can result in a refund, but it is not the same as your overall tax refund. It is only the amount of the credit that exceeds your tax liability. Your total refund includes this amount plus any overpayment of taxes throughout the year.