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 | US Federal Tax

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Audit: Complete

Formula (LaTeX) + variables + units

This section shows the formulas used by the calculator engine, plus variable definitions and units.

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

\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}

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

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

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

\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)

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

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

Formula (extracted text)

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.

Variables and units

T = property tax (annual or monthly depending on input) (currency)

Sources (authoritative):

irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8 — irs.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8
irs.gov/…/child-tax-credit — irs.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-tax-credit

Changelog

Version: 0.1.0-draft
Last code update: 2026-01-19

0.1.0-draft · 2026-01-19

Initial audit spec draft generated from HTML extraction (review required).
Verify formulas match the calculator engine and convert any text-only formulas to LaTeX.
Confirm sources are authoritative and relevant to the calculator methodology.

Verified by Ugo Candido on 2026-01-19
Profile · LinkedIn

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Audit: Complete

Formula (LaTeX) + variables + units

This section shows the formulas used by the calculator engine, plus variable definitions and units.

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

\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}

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

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

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

\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)

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

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

Formula (extracted text)

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.

Variables and units

T = property tax (annual or monthly depending on input) (currency)

Sources (authoritative):

irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8 — irs.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8
irs.gov/…/child-tax-credit — irs.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-tax-credit

Changelog

Version: 0.1.0-draft
Last code update: 2026-01-19

0.1.0-draft · 2026-01-19

Initial audit spec draft generated from HTML extraction (review required).
Verify formulas match the calculator engine and convert any text-only formulas to LaTeX.
Confirm sources are authoritative and relevant to the calculator methodology.

Verified by Ugo Candido on 2026-01-19
Profile · LinkedIn

]], displayMath: [['\\[','\\]']] }, svg: { fontCache: 'global' } }; Skip to main content

Audit: Complete

Formula (LaTeX) + variables + units

This section shows the formulas used by the calculator engine, plus variable definitions and units.

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

\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}

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

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

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

\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)

Formula (extracted LaTeX)

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

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

Formula (extracted text)

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.

Variables and units

T = property tax (annual or monthly depending on input) (currency)

Sources (authoritative):

irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8 — irs.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040s8
irs.gov/…/child-tax-credit — irs.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-tax-credit

Changelog

Version: 0.1.0-draft
Last code update: 2026-01-19

0.1.0-draft · 2026-01-19

Initial audit spec draft generated from HTML extraction (review required).
Verify formulas match the calculator engine and convert any text-only formulas to LaTeX.
Confirm sources are authoritative and relevant to the calculator methodology.

Verified by Ugo Candido on 2026-01-19
Profile · LinkedIn