You are talking about the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit can only reduce your tax to 0. After your tax is reduced to 0, you may be eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit. The Additional Child Tax Credit is refundable, which can increase your refund. The links at the bottom will provide additional information for you.
To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, your child must fit all of these requirements:
- Be under age 17 at the end of the tax year
- Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew)
- Has his or her own Social Security Number
- Lived with you for more than half the year
- Didn't support him/herself (i.e., didn't pay more than half their own expenses)
- Is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien
Additionally, you must have tax liability for the credit to be applied to. If you do not, you may qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit.
These links will provide more information:
Child Tax Credit
Additional Child Tax Credit
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