My return states i claimed the "Additional Child Tax Credit" but I don't fully understand that. I claimed no dependents on my return so what does this mean?

[DonaldM · Accepted solution]

Despite the name, the Additional Child Tax Credit is not a credit you get for additional children; rather, it's the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.

Here's how it works: Let's say you qualify for the $1,000 Child Tax Credit but your tax liability for the year is only $750. You'd get a $750 Child Tax Credit (the amount needed to reduce your tax liability to $0) and, if you qualify, the remaining $250 as the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Qualifications for the Additional Child Tax Credit are the same as the Child Tax Credit, except you also need to have at least $3,000 in earned income. We'll automatically give you this credit if you're eligible.