Why is 1040 line 28 blank if line 19 is full

[rockermom1]

Why did I get the ctc but not actc

[JulieS]

Yes, you can qualify for the Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not get the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). 

The ACTC was created to help people with very low incomes get more of their CTC, even if their tax liability was too low to take advantage of the full credit. 

The CTC is a non-refundable credit. That means if you have $1000 in tax liability, your maximum CTC is $1000. In that case the other $1000 would go to Form 8812, Part II-A and you may get the ACTC.

On the other hand, if your tax before credits (Form 1040, line 16) is $3000 and you have one child for the CTC, you get a $2000 CTC. There is no leftover CTC to use for ACTC. 

[rockermom1]

So if i got the ctc for two children and it shows 4000.00 on line 19 does that mean that my refund would potentially be more since the amount refundable was increased... line 28 is blank

[MayaD]

The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 for each child. You received the full amount which is $4000 for two children. The credit can reduce your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis, potentially eliminating your tax bill altogether.

The Additional Child Tax Credit line 28 ,  allows you to receive up to $1,600 of the $2,000 Child Tax Credit per child as a refund for 2023 if you didn't qualify for the full CTC.

What is the Additional Child Tax Credit?