Because of pandemic-related legislation, the Child Tax Credit for 2021 was:
- fully refundable
- worth more ($3,600 for children ages 5 and under and $3,000 for ages 6–17)
- available to taxpayers without earned income
The Child Tax Credit for 2022 and 2023 are:
- non-refundable
- $2,000 a year per child
- only available to taxpayers with at least $2,500 in earned income
- only available up to the limit of your tax liability shown on the return
Your 2023 Child Tax Credit might be less than your 2022 credit due to:
- One or more of children celebrated their 17th birthday in 2023
- One or more children lived with you for less than half the year in 2023 but lived with you for half the year (or more) in 2022
- One or more children paid more than half of their own expenses in 2023, but didn't in 2022
- Your 2023 AGI increased to $400,000 or more (joint filers and surviving spouses) or $200,000 or more (single, Head of Household, or separate filers)
See the qualifications for the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for Other Dependents.
This video from our TurboTax Community Tax Experts explains how changes in family tax credits might affect your refund for tax year 2023.
