What is the Child Tax Credit?

The Child Tax Credit is a tax credit you can claim for each qualifying dependent child on your return. You can get up to $2,000 for each child under age 17 if your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than:

• $400,000 if you're Married Filing Jointly or a Qualifying Surviving Spouse, or
• $200,000 for all other filing statuses

If your AGI is higher than that, the amount of Child Tax Credit you're eligible for is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 your modified AGI is above the income threshold. For example, if you're Married Filing Jointly making $401,000, you’re eligible for a total credit of $1,950. 

To qualify, your child must meet all of these requirements:

• Be under age 17 at the end of the tax year
• Is your child, stepchild, foster child, adopted child, sibling, step sibling, half sibling, or a descendant of any of them (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew)
• Has their own Social Security number
  • Children with ITINs don't qualify, but may instead be eligible for the $500 Credit for Other Dependents
• Lived with you for more than half the year
• Didn't support themselves (didn't pay more than half their own expenses)
• Is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien
  • Residents of Canada or Mexico don't qualify

In 2023, the tax credit will be refundable only up to $1,600, depending on your income. You must have earned income of at least $2,500 to be eligible for the refund.

For the latest news about the Child Tax Credit, check out the TurboTax blog.