Child tax credit: how much it is, who qualifies and how it phases out
The child tax credit is $2,200 per child under 17 for 2025 and 2026, up to $1,700 refundable. See who qualifies, the income limits and how to claim it.
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Read the full guide: Child Tax Credit: Amounts, Rules and Income Limits
Transcript
Child tax credit: how much it is, who qualifies and how it phases out
The child tax credit is worth up to $2,200 for each qualifying child under 17 on 2025 and 2026 returns.
Credit per qualifying child (2025 and 2026): $2,200.
Refundable part (ACTC) for 2026: Up to $1,700 per child.
Age limit: Under 17 at the end of the year.
Partly. The CTC first cancels your income tax.
Yes, but only at higher incomes. The credit starts to shrink when modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) passes $200,000, or $400,000 on a joint return.
If your credit came out lower than you expected, the usual causes are the age test, a missing or invalid SSN, low earned income or the income phaseout.
Can I get the child tax credit if I have no income? You can claim it, but with no tax to reduce and no earned income, nothing is paid.
