Why didn't I receive the child tax credit for my 3 kids that are under 17 years old

[Howard1948 · Accepted solution]

There could be several reasons:

You must have claimed a child as a dependent to be eligible for the Child Tax Credit.

If your adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000, the CTC is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 or portion thereof that your AGI exceeds the $100,000.

The CTC cannot be used to reduce your taxable income below zero.

[ryderj16]

I didnt make no where near 100,000 last year n i did claim them as dependents

[Howard1948]

What about the last reason -- the CTC cannot reduce your tax liability below zero?  I incorrectly used the term "taxable income" in my original response.  It should be "tax liability".  For some reason I cannot Edit my original post.  Sorry for any confusion.

[ryderj16]

Would u explain that a little more to me?

[Howard1948]

Sure.  If you already owe zero in total Federal income taxes because of all your deductions and other tax credits, then you do not get the benefit of the CTC because it cannot be used to reduce your tax liability below zero.  There are two types of tax credits:  Refundable and Nonrefundable.  Refundable tax credits can be used to reduce your tax liability below zero and generate a refund payment to you.  The Earned Income Credit is one example of this.  A nonrefundable tax credit does not generate a refund; it only reduces an existing tax liability but cannot reduce it below zero.