The 2024 Child Tax Credit amounts to $2,000 per child under age 17

The Child Tax Credit for 2024 is $2,000 for each child you claim who is under 17 years old at the end of the tax year. This is the same amount as 2023. The credit reduces the federal income tax you owe dollar-for-dollar, and if the credit is larger than your tax bill, you may receive the difference as a refund.

The credit begins to phase out — meaning it gets smaller — when your income exceeds certain thresholds. For single filers, the phase-out starts at $400,000 of modified adjusted gross income. For married couples filing jointly, it starts at $800,000. For each $1,000 (or fraction of $1,000) over the threshold, the credit reduces by $50.

Not all of the credit may be refundable to you. The refundable portion — the part you can get back as a refund even if you owe no tax — is limited to $1,700 per child in 2024. The remaining $300 per child can only reduce your tax bill to zero, not produce a refund.

Key Takeaways

  • The Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per child under 17 in 2024, and it reduces your federal income tax dollar-for-dollar.
  • You must have a valid Social Security number for each child you claim, and the child must live with you for more than half the year.
  • The credit phases out if your income exceeds $400,000 (single) or $800,000 (married filing jointly), reducing by $50 for each $1,000 over the limit.
  • Up to $1,700 of the credit per child can be refunded to you; the remaining $300 can only reduce your tax bill to zero.
  • You claim the credit on your tax return using Form 1040 and Schedule 8812, or through tax software that walks you through the questions.

Who can claim the Child Tax Credit

You can claim the Child Tax Credit for a child if you meet all of these conditions: the child is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or descendant of any of these (such as a niece or nephew); the child was under 17 at the end of 2024; the child lived with you for more than half of 2024; you provided more than half the child's financial support during 2024; and the child is a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien with a valid Social Security number.

The child's Social Security number must be issued by the Social Security Administration before you file your return. A number that is still pending will not work. If you adopted a child in 2024 or are waiting for a Social Security number, you may be able to claim the credit using a temporary number, but the IRS has specific rules about this — check IRS Publication 972 or speak with a tax preparer.

You must also have a valid Social Security number yourself, and your filing status cannot be "married filing separately." If you are married, you must file jointly to claim the credit.

How the credit phases out at higher incomes

The Child Tax Credit does not disappear all at once when you earn more money. Instead, it reduces gradually. The phase-out threshold — the income level where the reduction begins — depends on your filing status. Single filers and heads of household start losing the credit at $400,000 of modified adjusted gross income. Married couples filing jointly start at $800,000. Married couples filing separately each start at $400,000.

For every $1,000 of income above the threshold (or any part of $1,000), the credit decreases by $50 per child. For example, if you are single with one child and earn $401,000, you are $1,000 over the threshold, so your $2,000 credit reduces by $50 to $1,950. If you earn $401,500, you are $1,500 over the threshold, which rounds up to $2,000, so your credit reduces by $100 to $1,900.

Your modified adjusted gross income is usually your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your tax return. The IRS instructions for Form 1040 will tell you if you need to make any adjustments for your specific situation.

Refundable versus non-refundable portions

The Child Tax Credit has two parts: a refundable portion and a non-refundable portion. Understanding the difference matters because it determines whether you can get money back or only reduce what you owe.

The refundable portion in 2024 is $1,700 per child. This means if you owe $500 in federal income tax and you have one child, the $1,700 refundable credit will cover your $500 tax bill and send you a refund of $1,200. The non-refundable portion is the remaining $300 per child. This $300 can only reduce your tax bill to zero — it cannot produce a refund.

If you have multiple children, the refundable portion applies to each child up to the total limit. For example, with two children, you have up to $3,400 in refundable credit ($1,700 × 2). If you owe $2,000 in tax, the refundable portion covers it and you receive a $1,400 refund. The non-refundable portion ($600 total, or $300 per child) is not needed because your tax is already covered.

How to claim the credit on your tax return

You claim the Child Tax Credit by filing a federal income tax return, even if you normally would not have to file. On Form 1040, you list each may have access to child's name and Social Security number in the "Dependents" section. You then complete Schedule 8812 (Credits for may have access to Children and Other Dependents) if you need to calculate the refundable portion or if your income is high enough that the credit phases out.

If you use tax software — such as the IRS Free File partners or commercial software — the program will ask you questions about each child and automatically calculate the credit and any refund. You do not need to fill out Schedule 8812 by hand if the software does it for you.

You must have the child's Social Security number, date of birth, and relationship to you. If you are claiming a child who is not your biological child, be prepared to provide documentation of the relationship (such as an adoption decree or court order for a foster child) if the IRS asks.

What happens if you received advance payments in prior years

In 2021 and 2022, the IRS sent advance Child Tax Credit payments to many families — monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child depending on the child's age. If you received these payments, you may have to account for them when you file your 2024 return.

The advance payments reduced the total credit you could claim. For example, if you received $3,000 in advance payments for one child in 2021, and the full credit for that year was $3,600, you would claim only $600 on your tax return. If you received more in advance than you were may have access to to claim, you may owe money back when you file — though the IRS has rules that limit how much you have to repay depending on your income.

For 2024, there are no advance payments being sent. You will claim the full $2,000 credit (or the amount you are may have access to to based on income and phase-out rules) on your 2024 tax return when you file in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim the Child Tax Credit if my child does not have a Social Security number yet?

No, your child must have a valid Social Security number issued by the Social Security Administration to claim the credit. A number that is still pending or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) does not work. If you adopted a child in 2024 and are waiting for the number, contact the IRS or a tax preparer about whether you can use a temporary number.

What if I share custody of a child with another parent?

Only one parent can claim the Child Tax Credit for a child in a given year. The parent who has custody for the greater part of the year can claim it, unless you and the other parent agree in writing that the other parent will claim it. If you are divorced or separated, your custody agreement or court order may specify who claims the credit.

Does the Child Tax Credit reduce my refund?

No. The credit reduces your tax bill first. If the credit is larger than your tax bill, the excess (up to $1,700 per child) is refunded to you. The credit does not reduce a refund you would otherwise receive — it increases it.

What if my income is above $800,000 and I am married filing jointly?

Your credit phases out by $50 for every $1,000 of income above $800,000. At very high incomes, the credit may reduce to zero. For example, at $1,200,000 of income, the phase-out would reduce a two-child credit by $200 (40 × $50), from $4,000 to $3,800. The exact amount depends on your specific income and number of children.

Can I claim the credit if I am not required to file a tax return?

Yes. If you have a child and your income is low enough that you do not normally have to file, you can still file a return to claim the Child Tax Credit and receive a refund. The IRS Free File program offers free tax software to low-income filers, which can help you file and claim the credit.