Child Tax Credit Calculator
Calculate your Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit for 2026.
Enter Details
Results
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Child Tax Credit in 2026?
The Child Tax Credit for 2026 is $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17. Up to $1,700 per child is refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). The credit phases out by $50 for every $1,000 of AGI above $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married filing jointly). The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made the credit permanent and indexes it for inflation.
Who qualifies for the Child Tax Credit?
Qualifying child requirements: under age 17 at year end, related to you (child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, etc.), lived with you more than half the year, did not provide more than half their own support, is a US citizen or resident, and has a valid Social Security Number. The child cannot file a joint return (unless only to claim a refund).
What is the Additional Child Tax Credit?
The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) is the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit. If your non-refundable CTC exceeds your tax liability, you may claim ACTC for the lesser of the remaining credit or 15% of earned income above $2,500. Maximum ACTC is $1,700 per child in 2026. This means you can receive money back even if you owe no tax.
The 2026 Child Tax Credit in numbers
The credit is $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 at the end of the year, indexed for inflation from 2026. Up to $1,700 of it is refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit for families whose tax is lower than the credit. A $500 non-refundable credit applies for other dependents, including children 17 and older and qualifying relatives.
| Household | Children under 17 | Gross credit | Phase-out | Net credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, $85,000 | 1 | $2,200 | None | $2,200 |
| Married, $150,000 | 2 | $4,400 | None | $4,400 |
| Married, $420,000 | 3 | $6,600 | $1,000 (income is $20,000 over $400,000) | $5,600 |
| Single, $230,000 | 2 | $4,400 | $1,500 | $2,900 |
| Single, $18,000, little tax owed | 2 | $4,400 | None | Up to $3,400 refundable, limited by earned income |
Phase-out: $50 for every $1,000 (or part of $1,000) of modified AGI above $200,000 single or $400,000 married filing jointly.
Worked example: the refundable part
A single parent earning $18,000 with two children has a federal income tax of zero after the standard deduction, so a non-refundable credit would be worth nothing. The Additional Child Tax Credit is 15% of earned income above $2,500, capped at $1,700 per child: 15% x (18,000 - 2,500) = $2,325, which is below the $3,400 cap for two children, so the refund is $2,325. At $28,000 of earnings the formula gives $3,825, and the $3,400 cap applies. The Earned Income Tax Credit is separate and stacks on top.
Who qualifies
The child must be under 17 on 31 December, be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling or a descendant of any of those, live with you more than half the year, not provide more than half of their own support, be claimed as your dependent, and have a Social Security number valid for employment issued before the return due date. The parent claiming the credit also needs an SSN under the 2025 law changes. Divorced parents: the custodial parent claims unless Form 8332 releases the claim.
Getting it during the year instead of at filing
Entering the children on Step 3 of the W-4 reduces withholding by the credit spread over the year: two children is $4,400, about $169 less withheld per biweekly paycheck. Only one parent should do this. Without it the credit arrives as a refund in the spring, which the tax refund calculator on this site shows is often the largest single reason for a four-figure refund.
Common errors
Claiming a child who turned 17 during the year (they qualify for the $500 other dependent credit instead). Both parents claiming the same child after a separation. Missing the credit for a child born in December, who counts for the full year. And assuming the credit is lost above the phase-out threshold: at $450,000 married with two children the credit is still $1,900, since the reduction is $50 per $1,000, not a cliff.