Child Tax Credit

Tax

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) provides $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, with $1,600 refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit (2026 limits). Phase-out begins at $200,000 single / $400,000 married joint MAGI. Children must have a valid Social Security number. The credit reduces tax owed dollar-for-dollar; the refundable portion provides cash back even if you owe no tax. For 2021 only, an expanded CTC raised the credit to $3,000-$3,600 and made it fully refundable — those provisions expired. Proposed extensions continue to be debated in Congress; the current structure expires after 2025 unless renewed.