The Child Tax Credit stayed at $2,000 per child in 2024, with no expansion
The Child Tax Credit did not expand in 2024. It remained at $2,000 per child under age 17, the same amount it has been since 2018. Congress did not pass legislation to increase it, restore the expanded payments from 2021, or change how the credit works for the 2024 tax year.
The credit is still available to you if you have dependent children and meet income limits. You claim it when you file your 2024 tax return in 2025. But the amount per child and the rules for receiving it are unchanged from 2023.
Key Takeaways
- The Child Tax Credit remained $2,000 per child in 2024 with no legislative changes during the year.
- You claim the credit on your 2024 tax return filed in early 2025, not through monthly payments like in 2021.
- Income limits apply: $400,000 for married couples filing jointly, $200,000 for single filers, and the credit phases out above those thresholds.
- The credit is refundable up to $1,600 per child, meaning you can receive money back even if you owe no tax.
How the 2024 Child Tax Credit works
You receive $2,000 for each child under 17 at the end of 2024. The child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien, and you must claim them as a dependent on your tax return. You need their Social Security number to claim the credit.
The credit reduces your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. If you owe $3,000 in federal income tax and claim one child, your tax bill drops to $1,000. If the credit is larger than what you owe, the refundable portion — up to $1,600 per child — comes back to you as a refund check or direct deposit.
You do not receive the money upfront during the year. You claim it when you file your 2024 tax return between January and April 2025. The IRS processes the credit and either reduces your tax bill or sends you a refund.
Income limits and phase-out rules
The credit begins to reduce if your income exceeds certain thresholds. For married couples filing jointly, the limit is $400,000. For single filers and heads of household, it is $200,000. For married couples filing separately, it is $200,000.
Once your income goes above the threshold, the credit decreases by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) over the limit. If you earn $410,000 as a married couple, you are $10,000 over the threshold. Your credit reduces by $500 — $50 times 10 — so you receive $1,500 per child instead of $2,000.
Income includes wages, self-employment income, investment income, and other sources reported on your tax return. Use your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) to determine if you are over the limit.
What changed from 2021 to 2024
In 2021, Congress temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit to $3,600 per child and sent monthly payments of $250 to $300 per child from July through December. That expansion ended after 2021. The credit reverted to $2,000 per child starting in 2022 and has stayed there.
Monthly advance payments no longer exist. You receive the full credit amount when you file your tax return, not in installments throughout the year. This is how the credit worked before 2021 and how it works now.
The refundable portion also changed. In 2021, up to $1,700 per child was refundable. Since 2022, only $1,600 per child is refundable. This means the maximum refund you can receive from the credit is $1,600 per child, even if you have no tax liability.
Documents you need to claim the credit
You need your child's Social Security number and proof of their relationship to you. When you file your tax return, you enter the child's name, date of birth, and SSN. The IRS matches this information against Social Security Administration records.
Keep documents that prove the child lived with you for more than half the year: lease agreements, school records, medical records, or utility bills showing your address. You do not send these with your return, but the IRS may request them if your return is selected for review.
If you are claiming a child who is not your biological child — a stepchild, foster child, or relative — you may need to provide adoption papers, court custody orders, or other legal documents. The rules depend on your relationship to the child.
What to do if your income changed in 2024
If your income was lower in 2024 than in 2023, you may receive a larger credit. If it was higher, your credit may be smaller or disappear entirely if you exceed the income limit. You determine the correct credit amount based on your 2024 income when you file your return.
If you received advance payments in 2021 and your income was higher than you reported, you may have owed money back when you filed your 2021 return. This does not affect your 2024 credit. Each year's credit is calculated separately based on that year's income.
If you expect your 2024 income to be significantly different from 2023, you do not need to do anything now. You will report your actual 2024 income when you file your return in 2025, and the credit will be calculated correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Child Tax Credit if I did not work in 2024?
Yes. You do not have to work to claim the credit. You must have a child under 17 who is your dependent and meet the income limits. Income from unemployment benefits, Social Security, or other sources counts toward the income threshold, but you can still receive the credit if you are under the limit.
What if my child turned 17 in 2024?
You can claim the credit for the year your child turned 17 only if they were under 17 on December 31, 2024. If your child turned 17 before December 31, you cannot claim the credit for them on your 2024 return. Starting in 2025, they no longer may have access to.
Do I have to file a tax return to get the refundable portion of the credit?
Yes. You must file a federal income tax return to claim the Child Tax Credit, even if you have no tax liability. If you earned very little income, you may not be required to file, but filing allows you to receive the refundable portion of the credit as a refund.
Will Congress expand the credit again in 2025?
That is unknown and depends on future legislation. Congress would need to pass a new law to change the credit amount, income limits, or refundable portion. No expansion has been passed for 2025 as of now. Check with a tax professional or the IRS website closer to tax time for any updates.