My federal credits are down by $1000 from last year. Did I miss something this year

[AnthonyC]

The best thing to do is to print your return from this year and compare it side by side to last years return, especially page 2 where the credits are located.  This way you can narrow down exactly where the difference is and ask a more specific question, as no one here on AnswerXChange can see your personal return.

However, if it is exactly a $1,000 difference, then it is likely that you lost the Child Tax Credit.  The Child Tax Credit has slightly different rules than claiming dependents.  When your dependent turns 17 (even if one day of 2016), then you will lose eligibility for the Child Tax Credit.