TAX · CREDITS

Child Tax Credit Calculator

Estimate your child tax credit for 2026. See how income phase-outs affect your credit amount and how much is refundable.

LAST REVIEWED · APR 10, 2026 · BY M. REYES, CPA
You need
$4,000
Child Tax CreditReset
Annual Income (AGI)
$85,000
$10K$500K
Filing Status
Number of Children
Child 1 AgeUnder 17 qualifies
Child 2 AgeUnder 17 qualifies
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How the child tax credit works

For 2026, you can claim a $2,000 tax credit per qualifying child under age 17. Unlike a deduction (which reduces taxable income), a credit directly reduces your tax bill dollar-for-dollar.

Income phase-out

The credit begins phasing out at $200,000 AGI for single filers and $400,000 for married filing jointly. The reduction is $50 for every $1,000 of income above the threshold. A single parent earning $220,000 with one child would lose $1,000 of their $2,000 credit.

Refundable portion

Up to $1,700 of the credit per child is refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This means families with little or no tax liability can still receive up to $1,700 per qualifying child as a refund.

Methodology. Base credit: $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17. Phase-out: credit reduced by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of AGI above $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (MFJ). Refundable portion: up to $1,700 per child (Additional Child Tax Credit).

Sources

  • IRS Publication 972 (Child Tax Credit)
  • IRC Section 24 (as amended by TCJA and OBBBA)
  • IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11 (2026 parameters)
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Frequently asked questions

What makes a child 'qualifying'? +
The child must be under 17 at year-end, a U.S. citizen or resident, your dependent, lived with you for more than half the year, and not have provided more than half their own support.
Can I claim the credit for a newborn? +
Yes. A child born any time during the tax year qualifies for the full $2,000 credit for that year, as long as they have a Social Security number issued by the return due date.
What about children 17 and older? +
Children 17 and older don't qualify for the child tax credit but may qualify for the $500 Other Dependents Credit if they're under 19 (or under 24 if a full-time student).
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