we can't see your return so don't know what credits other than the CTC was on it.
Nonrefundable Credits: These are applied first. Nonrefundable credits can reduce your tax liability to zero but cannot result in a refund. Examples include the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
Refundable Credits: After nonrefundable credits are applied, refundable credits come next. These credits can reduce your tax liability below zero, resulting in a refund. Examples include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC - partially refundable).
General Business Credits: These are typically applied after nonrefundable personal credits but before refundable credits. They include various credits for businesses, such as the Research and Development Credit.
The specific order can vary depending on the credits you qualify for and your individual tax situation.
