Why did my Child Tax Credit Decrease?

[Nathaniel]

I had a baby in 2016, yet my child tax credit went from $3,250 for 2015 to $2,900 for 2016, why?

[jerry2000 · Accepted solution]

The Child Tax Credit, available only for a child 16 or under at the end of the tax year, is a non-refundable credit that can be used only to offset tax. You get only enough child tax credit to reduce your tax to zero, up to a maximum of $1,000 per child. If your other deductions and credits have reduced your tax to zero when the child tax credit is calculated, you do not get any child tax credit.

[Nathaniel]

Thank you! I think this is my case.