[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":810},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/en/guides/child-benefits/child-tax-credit-2026":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":772,"description":773,"extension":774,"faq":775,"meta":800,"navigation":803,"path":804,"publishedAt":805,"relatedCalculator":684,"seo":806,"stem":807,"updatedAt":808,"__hash__":809},"guides_en/en/guides/child-benefits/child-tax-credit-2026.md","Child Tax Credit 2025–2026: How Much Can You Get? (Complete USA Guide)",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":750},"minimark",[9,13,32,39,42,47,54,110,116,123,127,184,187,197,201,211,214,245,248,252,255,261,267,273,279,285,291,295,398,404,408,413,416,420,423,437,441,444,448,455,463,466,470,481,508,511,515,520,539,544,563,568,588,592,666,675,679,687,691,697,703,709,715,723,727],[10,11,5],"h1",{"id":12},"child-tax-credit-20252026-how-much-can-you-get-complete-usa-guide",[14,15,16],"blockquote",{},[17,18,19,23,24,27,28,31],"p",{},[20,21,22],"strong",{},"Last verified:"," 2 April 2026 | ",[20,25,26],{},"Source:"," IRS.gov | ",[20,29,30],{},"Tax year:"," 2025 (returns filed 2026)",[17,33,34,35,38],{},"The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is one of the most valuable tax benefits available to American families — worth up to ",[20,36,37],{},"$2,200 per qualifying child"," for the 2025 tax year. This figure was increased from $2,000 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025. For tens of millions of households, it represents hundreds or thousands of dollars back at tax time.",[17,40,41],{},"This complete guide covers the 2025 CTC amounts, income limits, eligibility rules, and exactly how to claim it.",[43,44,46],"h2",{"id":45},"child-tax-credit-amounts-for-2025","Child Tax Credit Amounts for 2025",[17,48,49,50,53],{},"For the ",[20,51,52],{},"2025 tax year"," (returns filed in early 2026), the Child Tax Credit breaks into two components:",[55,56,57,73],"table",{},[58,59,60],"thead",{},[61,62,63,67,70],"tr",{},[64,65,66],"th",{},"Component",[64,68,69],{},"Amount Per Child",[64,71,72],{},"Notes",[74,75,76,88,99],"tbody",{},[61,77,78,82,85],{},[79,80,81],"td",{},"Total CTC",[79,83,84],{},"$2,200",[79,86,87],{},"Per qualifying child under 17 (2025, One Big Beautiful Bill)",[61,89,90,93,96],{},[79,91,92],{},"Non-refundable portion",[79,94,95],{},"$500",[79,97,98],{},"Reduces tax owed to zero; unused is lost",[61,100,101,104,107],{},[79,102,103],{},"Refundable ACTC",[79,105,106],{},"$1,700",[79,108,109],{},"Paid out even if no tax is owed",[17,111,112,115],{},[20,113,114],{},"The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)"," is the refundable portion. If your tax bill is smaller than your CTC, you don't lose the difference — up to $1,700 per child comes back as a direct refund. This is what makes the credit so powerful for working families at low and moderate incomes.",[17,117,118,119,122],{},"A family with three qualifying children has a maximum potential CTC of ",[20,120,121],{},"$6,600"," — with $5,100 of that potentially refundable.",[43,124,126],{"id":125},"income-limits-where-the-phase-out-begins","Income Limits: Where the Phase-Out Begins",[55,128,129,142],{},[58,130,131],{},[61,132,133,136,139],{},[64,134,135],{},"Filing Status",[64,137,138],{},"Full Credit Available Up To",[64,140,141],{},"Credit Fully Phased Out At",[74,143,144,155,166,175],{},[61,145,146,149,152],{},[79,147,148],{},"Single",[79,150,151],{},"$200,000",[79,153,154],{},"~$240,000 (2 children)",[61,156,157,160,163],{},[79,158,159],{},"Married Filing Jointly",[79,161,162],{},"$400,000",[79,164,165],{},"~$440,000 (2 children)",[61,167,168,171,173],{},[79,169,170],{},"Head of Household",[79,172,151],{},[79,174,154],{},[61,176,177,180,182],{},[79,178,179],{},"Married Filing Separately",[79,181,151],{},[79,183,154],{},[17,185,186],{},"The phase-out rate is $50 per $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) above the threshold.",[17,188,189,192,193,196],{},[20,190,191],{},"Example:"," A married couple with two children earns $408,000. That's $8,000 over the $400,000 threshold. The reduction is $50 × 8 × 2 children = ",[20,194,195],{},"$800 total reduction",", leaving a CTC of $3,200.",[43,198,200],{"id":199},"what-changed-in-2025","What Changed in 2025?",[17,202,203,204,207,208,210],{},"The ",[20,205,206],{},"One Big Beautiful Bill Act"," (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to ",[20,209,84],{}," per qualifying child for the 2025 tax year. The credit will be adjusted annually for inflation after 2025.",[17,212,213],{},"Key figures for 2025:",[215,216,217,223,228,234,240],"ul",{},[218,219,220,222],"li",{},[20,221,84],{}," maximum credit per qualifying child (up from $2,000)",[218,224,225,227],{},[20,226,106],{}," maximum refundable ACTC per child (unchanged)",[218,229,230,233],{},[20,231,232],{},"$2,500"," earned income floor to claim ACTC (unchanged)",[218,235,236,239],{},[20,237,238],{},"$200,000 / $400,000"," phase-out thresholds (unchanged)",[218,241,242,244],{},[20,243,95],{}," Other Dependent Credit for non-qualifying dependents (unchanged)",[17,246,247],{},"Source: IRS.gov, confirmed April 2026.",[43,249,251],{"id":250},"who-qualifies-as-a-qualifying-child","Who Qualifies as a Qualifying Child?",[17,253,254],{},"Your child must meet all of the following tests:",[17,256,257,260],{},[20,258,259],{},"Age test:"," Under 17 years old on December 31, 2026 (i.e., born on or after January 1, 2010).",[17,262,263,266],{},[20,264,265],{},"Relationship test:"," Your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, half-sibling, stepsibling, or a descendant of any of these (grandchild, niece, nephew).",[17,268,269,272],{},[20,270,271],{},"Residency test:"," The child must have lived with you for more than half of 2026 (183+ nights). Temporary absences — school, vacation, medical care — count as time with you.",[17,274,275,278],{},[20,276,277],{},"Dependency test:"," You must claim the child as a dependent on your return. Each child can only be claimed as a dependent by one person in any given year.",[17,280,281,284],{},[20,282,283],{},"Social Security Number:"," The child must have a valid SSN issued before the due date of your return (April 15, 2027, or the extended date if you file for extension).",[17,286,287,290],{},[20,288,289],{},"Support test:"," The child must not have provided more than half of their own financial support during the year.",[43,292,294],{"id":293},"credit-amount-based-on-income-reference-table","Credit Amount Based on Income: Reference Table",[55,296,297,310],{},[58,298,299],{},[61,300,301,304,307],{},[64,302,303],{},"Annual Income (Married Filing Jointly)",[64,305,306],{},"Number of Children",[64,308,309],{},"CTC Amount",[74,311,312,323,333,343,353,362,372,380,390],{},[61,313,314,317,320],{},[79,315,316],{},"Up to $400,000",[79,318,319],{},"1",[79,321,322],{},"$2,000",[61,324,325,327,330],{},[79,326,316],{},[79,328,329],{},"2",[79,331,332],{},"$4,000",[61,334,335,337,340],{},[79,336,316],{},[79,338,339],{},"3",[79,341,342],{},"$6,000",[61,344,345,348,350],{},[79,346,347],{},"$410,000",[79,349,319],{},[79,351,352],{},"$1,500",[61,354,355,357,359],{},[79,356,347],{},[79,358,329],{},[79,360,361],{},"$3,000",[61,363,364,367,369],{},[79,365,366],{},"$420,000",[79,368,319],{},[79,370,371],{},"$1,000",[61,373,374,376,378],{},[79,375,366],{},[79,377,329],{},[79,379,322],{},[61,381,382,385,387],{},[79,383,384],{},"$440,000",[79,386,319],{},[79,388,389],{},"$0",[61,391,392,394,396],{},[79,393,384],{},[79,395,329],{},[79,397,389],{},[17,399,400],{},[401,402,403],"em",{},"Single filers: apply the same phase-out calculations but the threshold starts at $200,000.",[43,405,407],{"id":406},"how-to-calculate-your-exact-ctc","How to Calculate Your Exact CTC",[409,410,412],"h3",{"id":411},"step-1-multiply-2000-by-your-number-of-qualifying-children","Step 1: Multiply $2,000 by your number of qualifying children",[17,414,415],{},"A family with two qualifying children starts with a potential credit of $4,000.",[409,417,419],{"id":418},"step-2-check-if-a-phase-out-applies","Step 2: Check if a phase-out applies",[17,421,422],{},"Is your MAGI above $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married)? If not, your credit is the full amount from Step 1. If yes, calculate the reduction:",[215,424,425,428,431,434],{},[218,426,427],{},"Subtract the threshold from your MAGI",[218,429,430],{},"Round up to the nearest $1,000",[218,432,433],{},"Multiply by $50, then multiply by the number of children",[218,435,436],{},"Subtract from your Step 1 total",[409,438,440],{"id":439},"step-3-apply-against-your-tax-liability-non-refundable-portion","Step 3: Apply against your tax liability (non-refundable portion)",[17,442,443],{},"The $300 non-refundable portion per child reduces your federal tax bill first. If your tax liability is less than the total non-refundable portion, you can only use what you owe.",[409,445,447],{"id":446},"step-4-calculate-the-refundable-actc","Step 4: Calculate the refundable ACTC",[17,449,450,451,454],{},"The ACTC is the ",[20,452,453],{},"lesser"," of:",[215,456,457,460],{},[218,458,459],{},"15% of your earned income above $2,500",[218,461,462],{},"$1,700 × number of qualifying children",[17,464,465],{},"If you earn $40,000 and have two children: 15% × ($40,000 − $2,500) = $5,625. Capped at 2 × $1,700 = $3,400. You receive $3,400 as a refund.",[43,467,469],{"id":468},"how-to-claim-the-child-tax-credit","How to Claim the Child Tax Credit",[17,471,472,473,476,477,480],{},"The CTC is claimed on ",[20,474,475],{},"Form 1040"," with ",[20,478,479],{},"Schedule 8812"," attached. Here's what you need:",[482,483,484,490,496,502],"ol",{},[218,485,486,489],{},[20,487,488],{},"List each qualifying child"," on your 1040 with their name, Social Security Number, and date of birth.",[218,491,492,495],{},[20,493,494],{},"Complete Schedule 8812"," — this calculates both the non-refundable CTC and the refundable ACTC automatically.",[218,497,498,501],{},[20,499,500],{},"Check box 2"," on Schedule 8812 if you are claiming the ACTC for the refundable portion.",[218,503,504,507],{},[20,505,506],{},"File electronically"," — the IRS holds refunds containing ACTC until mid-February to reduce fraud, but electronic filers generally receive refunds faster than paper filers.",[17,509,510],{},"Tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA, IRS Free File) handles all of this automatically when you enter your dependents' information.",[43,512,514],{"id":513},"worked-examples","Worked Examples",[17,516,517],{},[20,518,519],{},"Family A — Single parent, one child, $45,000 income:",[215,521,522,525,528,531,534],{},[218,523,524],{},"Potential CTC: $2,000 (no phase-out)",[218,526,527],{},"Federal tax before credits: ~$3,100",[218,529,530],{},"Non-refundable portion ($300) applied: tax drops to $2,800",[218,532,533],{},"ACTC: 15% × ($45,000 − $2,500) = $6,375 → capped at $1,700",[218,535,536,537],{},"Total benefit: $300 tax reduction + $1,700 refund = ",[20,538,322],{},[17,540,541],{},[20,542,543],{},"Family B — Married couple, three children, $85,000 income:",[215,545,546,549,552,555,558],{},[218,547,548],{},"Potential CTC: $6,000 (no phase-out)",[218,550,551],{},"Federal tax before credits: ~$6,500",[218,553,554],{},"Non-refundable portion ($900) applied: tax drops to $5,600",[218,556,557],{},"ACTC: 15% × ($85,000 − $2,500) = $12,375 → capped at $5,100",[218,559,560,561],{},"Total benefit: $900 tax reduction + $5,100 refund = ",[20,562,342],{},[17,564,565],{},[20,566,567],{},"Family C — Married couple, two children, $415,000 income:",[215,569,570,573,576,579,582],{},[218,571,572],{},"Potential CTC before phase-out: $4,000",[218,574,575],{},"Phase-out: $415,000 − $400,000 = $15,000 excess → 15 increments × $50 × 2 = $1,500 reduction",[218,577,578],{},"Remaining CTC: $2,500",[218,580,581],{},"Income too high for ACTC",[218,583,584,585,587],{},"Total: ",[20,586,232],{}," applied against tax liability",[43,589,591],{"id":590},"the-child-tax-credit-vs-other-family-tax-benefits","The Child Tax Credit vs. Other Family Tax Benefits",[55,593,594,610],{},[58,595,596],{},[61,597,598,601,604,607],{},[64,599,600],{},"Benefit",[64,602,603],{},"Max Value",[64,605,606],{},"Refundable?",[64,608,609],{},"Income Limit",[74,611,612,626,640,654],{},[61,613,614,617,620,623],{},[79,615,616],{},"Child Tax Credit",[79,618,619],{},"$2,000/child",[79,621,622],{},"Partially ($1,700)",[79,624,625],{},"$400,000 MFJ (phase-out)",[61,627,628,631,634,637],{},[79,629,630],{},"Earned Income Tax Credit",[79,632,633],{},"Up to $7,830",[79,635,636],{},"Fully",[79,638,639],{},"~$66,819 MFJ (3+ children)",[61,641,642,645,648,651],{},[79,643,644],{},"Child & Dependent Care Credit",[79,646,647],{},"Up to $2,100",[79,649,650],{},"No",[79,652,653],{},"No hard limit",[61,655,656,659,662,664],{},[79,657,658],{},"Other Dependent Credit",[79,660,661],{},"$500/dependent",[79,663,650],{},[79,665,625],{},[17,667,668,669,674],{},"For lower-income working families, the ",[670,671,673],"a",{"href":672},"/guides/child-benefits/earned-income-tax-credit-2026","EITC"," often provides a larger refund. The CTC and EITC can both be claimed in the same year — they do not offset each other.",[43,676,678],{"id":677},"use-the-calculator","Use the Calculator",[17,680,681,682,686],{},"Want to estimate your exact credit without doing the math by hand? Our ",[670,683,685],{"href":684},"/child-benefits-calculator","Child Benefits Calculator"," lets you enter your income, filing status, and number of children to get an instant estimate of your CTC, ACTC, and total refundable credits.",[43,688,690],{"id":689},"frequently-asked-questions","Frequently Asked Questions",[17,692,693,696],{},[20,694,695],{},"What if I missed claiming the CTC in a prior year?","\nYou can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) going back three years. If you were eligible and didn't claim it, you are leaving money on the table.",[17,698,699,702],{},[20,700,701],{},"Can I get the CTC for a child born in December 2026?","\nYes. As long as the child was born on or before December 31, 2026, and meets all other requirements, the full $2,000 credit applies for the 2026 tax year — even if the child was only alive for a few days.",[17,704,705,708],{},[20,706,707],{},"Does the CTC affect my eligibility for other benefits?","\nThe Child Tax Credit is a tax credit, not income. It does not count toward income for purposes of SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other income-tested benefit programs.",[17,710,711,714],{},[20,712,713],{},"What happens if my income varies during the year?","\nThe credit is calculated based on your annual MAGI as reported on your tax return. Quarterly variation in income doesn't affect the calculation. Only your annual total income matters.",[17,716,717,718,722],{},"Understanding your Child Tax Credit eligibility is a first step — but combining it with the EITC and other family credits can significantly increase your total tax benefit. See our full ",[670,719,721],{"href":720},"/guides/child-benefits","guide to family benefits in 2026"," for a complete picture.",[43,724,726],{"id":725},"related-guides","Related Guides",[215,728,729,736,743],{},[218,730,731,735],{},[670,732,734],{"href":733},"/en/guides/child-benefits/child-benefit-calculator-guide/","Child Benefit Calculator Guide"," — estimate your total child benefit entitlement",[218,737,738,742],{},[670,739,741],{"href":740},"/en/guides/child-benefits/earned-income-tax-credit-2026/","Earned Income Tax Credit 2026"," — another major US tax credit for working families",[218,744,745,749],{},[670,746,748],{"href":747},"/en/guides/child-benefits/wic-benefits-2026/","WIC Benefits 2026"," — free food assistance for young children and mothers",{"title":751,"searchDepth":752,"depth":752,"links":753},"",2,[754,755,756,757,758,759,766,767,768,769,770,771],{"id":45,"depth":752,"text":46},{"id":125,"depth":752,"text":126},{"id":199,"depth":752,"text":200},{"id":250,"depth":752,"text":251},{"id":293,"depth":752,"text":294},{"id":406,"depth":752,"text":407,"children":760},[761,763,764,765],{"id":411,"depth":762,"text":412},3,{"id":418,"depth":762,"text":419},{"id":439,"depth":762,"text":440},{"id":446,"depth":762,"text":447},{"id":468,"depth":752,"text":469},{"id":513,"depth":752,"text":514},{"id":590,"depth":752,"text":591},{"id":677,"depth":752,"text":678},{"id":689,"depth":752,"text":690},{"id":725,"depth":752,"text":726},"child-benefits","Everything you need to know about the US Child Tax Credit — $2,200 per child for 2025 tax year (One Big Beautiful Bill), income limits, refundable ACTC up to $1,700, and claiming instructions.","md",[776,779,782,785,788,791,794,797],{"question":777,"answer":778},"How much is the Child Tax Credit in 2025?","The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17 for the 2025 tax year, following the One Big Beautiful Bill signed July 4, 2025. Up to $1,700 of that amount is refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). Source: IRS.gov.",{"question":780,"answer":781},"What are the income limits for the Child Tax Credit in 2026?","The full $2,200 credit is available to single filers earning up to $200,000 and married couples filing jointly earning up to $400,000. Above those thresholds, the credit phases out by $50 for every $1,000 of income over the limit. Source: IRS.gov.",{"question":783,"answer":784},"What changed in the Child Tax Credit from 2024 to 2025?","The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) increased the total CTC from $2,000 to $2,200 per qualifying child for the 2025 tax year. The refundable ACTC cap remains $1,700, the phase-out thresholds remain $200K/$400K, and the $2,500 earned income floor for the ACTC is unchanged.",{"question":786,"answer":787},"Can I get the Child Tax Credit if I owe no federal taxes?","Yes, through the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). You must have at least $2,500 in earned income. The refundable amount is 15% of your earned income above $2,500, up to $1,700 per qualifying child.",{"question":789,"answer":790},"Does my child need a Social Security Number to qualify?","Yes. The qualifying child must have a valid Social Security Number issued before the due date of your tax return (including extensions). A child with only an ITIN does not qualify for the CTC but may qualify for the Other Dependent Credit of $500.",{"question":792,"answer":793},"What is the age limit for the Child Tax Credit in 2026?","The child must be under 17 years old on December 31, 2026 — meaning age 16 or younger at year-end. A child who turns 17 at any point during 2026 does not qualify for the Child Tax Credit for that year.",{"question":795,"answer":796},"How do I claim the Child Tax Credit on my tax return?","Complete Schedule 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents) and attach it to your Form 1040. List each qualifying child's name, Social Security Number, and date of birth. Tax software handles this automatically.",{"question":798,"answer":799},"Can both parents claim the Child Tax Credit for the same child?","No. Only one parent can claim the credit per child per year. Typically the custodial parent (the one the child lived with more than half the year) claims it. A custodial parent can sign Form 8332 to release the claim to the noncustodial parent.",{"lastVerified":801,"sourceFamily":802},"2026-04-02","IRS.gov",true,"/en/guides/child-benefits/child-tax-credit-2026","2026-03-30",{"title":5,"description":773},"en/guides/child-benefits/child-tax-credit-2026",null,"S_NjruHQbC8OGKaD_MkdM9mijgp1Jnq5brHyTELIroQ",1775557774951]