Do I Get Money Back for the Child Tax Credit?

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) can reduce the amount of federal income tax you owe, and in some cases, part of the credit may be refunded to you through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

For tax year 2026:

• The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child.
• Up to $1,700 per qualifying child may be available as a refundable Additional Child Tax Credit if you meet the eligibility requirements.

How Does the Child Tax Credit Work?

The Child Tax Credit is applied in two steps:

1. The credit first reduces your federal income tax liability.
2. If the credit is larger than the tax you owe, you may qualify for the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit.

This means you don't automatically receive the full credit as a refund. It depends on your tax liability, earned income, and eligibility for the refundable portion.

Who Qualifies for the Refundable Portion?

To qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit, you generally must:

• Have at least one qualifying child.
• Have earned income exceeding $2,500.
• Meet all Child Tax Credit eligibility requirements.

How Much Could Be Refunded?

The refundable credit is generally calculated using a percentage of your earned income above the IRS threshold, subject to annual limits.

A common estimate is:

(Earned Income − $2,500) × 15%

However, your actual credit may be different because the IRS applies additional rules and limitations through Schedule 8812.

Our software calculates the exact amount automatically.

Why Is My Child Tax Credit Showing as $0?

The Child Tax Credit is primarily a nonrefundable credit. If you don't have any federal income tax liability to reduce, the Child Tax Credit itself may appear as $0.

However, you may still qualify for the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit, which can increase your refund if you meet the earned income and qualifying child requirements.

Why Did I Receive the Additional Child Tax Credit but Not the Child Tax Credit?

This can happen when:

• You have little or no tax liability.
• You have at least $2,500 of earned income.
• You have one or more qualifying children.

In that situation, there may be no tax liability for the Child Tax Credit to reduce, but you can still qualify for the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit.

Does the Credit Phase Out at Higher Income Levels?

The Child Tax Credit begins to phase out when your income exceeds:

• $400,000 for Married Filing Jointly
• $200,000 for all other filing statuses

If your income exceeds the applicable threshold, your credit is reduced gradually.

How Can I See My Child Tax Credit Amount?

After completing your return:

1. Go to Review/Summary
2. Select the Tax and Credits section to view the Child Tax Credit.
3. Check Payments to see whether an Additional Child Tax Credit has been calculated.

Our software automatically determines your eligibility for both credits and calculates the maximum amount you're entitled to receive based on your income, qualifying children, and tax liability.