Who qualifies for the Child Tax Credit?

Generally, a dependent under age 17 at year end, with a valid SSN, who lived with you over half the year, did not provide more than half of their own support, and meets relationship and residency tests.

What are the 2024 Child Tax Credit amounts?

Up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,700 potentially refundable (Additional Child Tax Credit), subject to income phaseouts.

When do phaseouts start?

Phaseouts begin at MAGI $200,000 for Single, HOH, MFS, QSS, and $400,000 for MFJ. The credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction) of MAGI over the threshold.

What is the Credit for Other Dependents?

A nonrefundable $500 credit for each qualifying dependent who does not meet the under-17 CTC test (e.g., older children, certain relatives). Subject to the same phaseout thresholds.

How is the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit calculated?

It is limited to the smallest of: (1) your child credit after phaseout, (2) the annual per-child refundable cap ($1,600 for 2023; $1,700 for 2024) × number of qualifying children, and (3) 15% of earned income over $2,500. Actual refundability also depends on your nonrefundable tax liability.

Does this tool give tax advice?

No. This calculator provides an educational estimate and cannot replace personalized advice or official IRS worksheets. Always review IRS instructions or consult a tax professional.

Child Tax Credit Calculator

Quickly estimate your U.S. federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) and potential Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refund for 2023 or 2024. Designed for individuals and families, this tool applies IRS phaseout rules by filing status, Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), and earned income.

Calculator

Tax year

Amounts and refundable caps differ by year (CTC refundable cap is $1,700 in 2024 and $1,600 in 2023).

Filing status

Married Filing Jointly Single Head of Household Married Filing Separately Qualifying Surviving Spouse

Qualifying children under 17

Other dependents (age 17+ or not qualifying for CTC)

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

Earned income (for refundable limit)

This tool estimates the maximum potential refundable amount assuming sufficient tax liability for the nonrefundable portion. Actual results may differ.

Results

Pre-phaseout credit (CTC + ODC) $0

Phaseout reduction $0

Child Tax Credit after phaseout $0

Credit for Other Dependents after phaseout $0

Estimated refundable ACTC (max possible) $0

Estimated total credit (CTC + ODC) $0

Limitations: This estimator does not compute your actual nonrefundable tax liability and does not implement the rare “three-or-more children” alternative ACTC formula. For precise results, complete IRS Schedule 8812 with your full return.

Data Source and Methodology

Primary authority: IRS Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) Instructions — Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents. 2024 (Rev. Dec. 2024): irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8. 2023 (Rev. Dec. 2023): irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8. See also the IRS Child Tax Credit page: irs.gov/…/child-tax-credit.

Tutti i calcoli si basano rigorosamente sulle formule e sui dati forniti da questa fonte.

The Formula Explained

Pre-credit totals

Let n_c = qualifying children under 17, n_o = other dependents.

\[ \text{CTC}_\text{pre} = 2000 \cdot n_c,\quad \text{ODC}_\text{pre} = 500 \cdot n_o,\quad \text{Total}_\text{pre} = \text{CTC}_\text{pre} + \text{ODC}_\text{pre} \]

Phaseout (T = $400{,}000 for MFJ; $200{,}000 otherwise; MAGI = Modified AGI)

\[ P = 50 \cdot \left\lceil \frac{\max(0,\, \text{MAGI} - T)}{1000} \right\rceil \]

Apply to CTC first, then to ODC:

\[ \text{CTC}_\text{after} = \max\!\big(0,\, \text{CTC}_\text{pre} - P\big), \quad \text{ODC}_\text{after} = \max\!\big(0,\, \text{ODC}_\text{pre} - \max(0,\, P - \text{CTC}_\text{pre})\big) \]

Refundable Additional CTC (maximum potential)

Earned income EI; per-child refundable cap R_y = 1700 (2024) or 1600 (2023).

\[ \text{ACTC}_\text{max} = \min\!\Big( \text{CTC}_\text{after},\; R_y \cdot n_c,\; 0.15 \cdot \max(0,\, \text{EI} - 2500) \Big) \]

The total estimated credit reported is $\text{CTC}_\text{after} + \text{ODC}_\text{after}$. Actual refundable/nonrefundable split depends on your tax liability and full Schedule 8812 worksheets.

Glossary of Variables

Tax year: Choose 2023 or 2024 to apply correct refundable caps.
Filing status: Determines the MAGI threshold T for phaseout.
Qualifying children under 17 (n_c): Dependents meeting all CTC tests (including valid SSN) and under 17 at year end.
Other dependents (n_o): Dependents who do not meet the under-17 CTC test; eligible for a $500 nonrefundable credit.
MAGI: Modified Adjusted Gross Income used for CTC phaseouts.
Earned income (EI): Used to cap the refundable portion at 15% of EI above $2,500.
CTC_pre / ODC_pre: Pre-phaseout Child Tax Credit / Other Dependents Credit.
P: Phaseout reduction amount.
CTC_after / ODC_after: Credits after applying the phaseout.
ACTC_max: Estimated maximum refundable amount (Additional CTC).
Total credit: CTC_after + ODC_after.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Example

Scenario. Tax year 2024; Head of Household; two qualifying children under 17; one other dependent; MAGI = $215,000; earned income = $60,000.

Pre-credit: CTC_pre = 2 × $2,000 = $4,000; ODC_pre = 1 × $500 = $500; Total_pre = $4,500.
Phaseout threshold T = $200,000. Excess MAGI = $215,000 − $200,000 = $15,000.
P = 50 × ceil(15,000 / 1,000) = 50 × 15 = $750.
Apply P to CTC first: CTC_after = max(0, 4,000 − 750) = $3,250; remaining P absorbed entirely by CTC → ODC_after = $500.
Refundable cap per child R_y = $1,700; so cap = $1,700 × 2 = $3,400. Earned-income cap = 0.15 × (60,000 − 2,500) = $8,625.
ACTC_max = min(CTC_after $3,250, per-child cap $3,400, EI cap $8,625) = $3,250.
Total credit = $3,250 + $500 = $3,750. Of this, up to $3,250 may be refundable depending on your tax liability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do children need an SSN for the CTC?

Yes. A qualifying child must have a valid SSN for employment by the due date of the return. Dependents without an SSN may qualify for the $500 Credit for Other Dependents instead.

Is the credit fully refundable?

No. Only the Additional Child Tax Credit portion can be refundable and is limited by earned income and a per-child cap (and by your nonrefundable liability).

How are phaseouts calculated?

The credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction) of MAGI above the threshold based on filing status. The reduction is applied to the CTC first, then to the ODC.

Does this tool handle the three-or-more-children alternative ACTC formula?

No. That alternative method is rarely applicable and requires full return data. Use Schedule 8812 to confirm if it benefits you.

Which incomes count as earned income?

Generally, wages, salaries, tips, and self-employment earnings. Investment income does not count as earned income for the ACTC limit.

Will my final credit match this estimate?

This is an educational estimate. Your final credit depends on your complete return, tax liability, and IRS worksheets. Consult a professional for advice.

Tool developed by Ugo Candido. Content verified by the CalcDomain editorial team. Last reviewed for accuracy on: September 13, 2025.