Last tax season I got $4,000 in child tax credit but this season I only get $2,500 in child tax credit for the same, two minors. Why is this happening?

[smith2day]

Ages during 2023 were 16 and 13 years old. During 2024 they were 17 and 14 years old.

[xmasbaby0]

When your oldest turned 17 in 2024 you lost the child tax credit.   Now you get the $500 credit for other dependents instead.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/child-tax-credit/L2lNhfGDl_US_e...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/additional-child-tax-credit/L6x...

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-f...

[DavidD66]

The child tax credit only applies to dependents 16 and under as of December 31.  Since your 16 year old was 17 at the end of 2024 they did not qualify for the child tax credit.  Instead they qualified for the credit for other dependents, which is $500.  For additional information see the following TurboTax Help Article: Which tax credit does my child qualify for?

[Byrdfamily2025]

I am having the same issue but my children are 3 and 1 so shouldn't I be getting $2000 for each child?

[Vanessa A]

It depends.  In order to claim the full child tax credit (if each child qualifies) then you would need to have enough income to claim the credit.  The $2,000 Child Tax Credit is a non-refundable credit.  This means it will lower your tax liability but not below $0.  The amount that you cannot use as the non-refundable credit can then be claimed as the refundable Additional Child Tax credit.  This can be found on line 28 of your return.

The additional child tax credit is calculated by taking 15% of your income above $2,500 for up to $1,700 per child. So if you have no tax liability, then your child tax credit would be a maximum of $3,400 for 2 kids.