My refund is less then my child tax credit, why is it because I made to much?

[jean_smart_fan]

It told me my child tax credit was going to be 4500 but my refund amount is much lower.

[rjs]

You don't necessarily get a refund of the entire child tax credit. It's a credit that is applied against your tax for the year. Look at your Form 1040. The child tax credit is on line 28. If line 28 is $4,500 you are getting the full credit.

If you got monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2021, those were advance payments of the credit. The amount you got in advance is subtracted from the credit on your tax return. So, for example, if your total Child Tax Credit is $4,500 but you got advance payments of $3,000, the remaining credit on your tax return will be $1,500.

[jean_smart_fan]

This year is just slightly confusing lol. So yes my like 28 says 4,500. My line 33 says 7,300, so is that the reason, I'm really good at all the simple stuff and this is a first so it's a little confusing. All the help is very appreciated thank you!

[jean_smart_fan]

This year is just slightly confusing lol. So yes my like 28 says 4,500. My line 33 says 7,300, so is that the reason, I'm really good at all the simple stuff and this is a first so it's a little confusing. All the help is very appreciated thank you!

[rjs]

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@jean_smart_fan wrote:

My line 33 says 7,300, so is that the reason

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The reason for what? Form 1040 line 33 by itself doesn't tell you anything. It's the total of any tax that was withheld from your pay and various credits on lines 27a through 31, including the Child Tax Credit on line 28. Your refund is line 33 minus the total tax on line 24.

[VolvoGirl]

What's on line 24?  That is the total tax on your income.  Then you subtract your withholding and credits.  Line 33 $7,300 includes the 4500 in line 28.   Just follow the lines.  It's just basic math.   

The Child Tax Credit either adds to your refund or reduces a Tax due.