Yes, the Child Tax Credit exists in 2024, but the amount depends on your income and filing status
The Child Tax Credit for 2024 is $2,000 per child under age 17. You claim it when you file your federal tax return. The credit reduces the amount of federal income tax you owe — if the credit is larger than your tax bill, you may receive the difference as a refund, though this depends on rules about refundability that change year to year.
The credit begins to phase out (reduce) when your income exceeds certain thresholds. For 2024, those thresholds are $400,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for single filers. The credit decreases by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of income above the threshold.
You do not receive this money automatically. You must file a federal tax return and claim the credit on it, even if you have no tax liability. The IRS does not send out Child Tax Credit payments separate from your tax refund.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per child under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
- The credit phases out for single filers with income over $200,000 and married couples filing jointly with income over $400,000.
- You must file a federal tax return to claim the credit; it does not come to you without a return.
- The child must have a valid Social Security number and be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien.
- Refundability rules determine whether you get money back if the credit exceeds your tax bill; this varies by year and income level.
Who can claim a child on the 2024 tax return
To claim a child for the Child Tax Credit, the child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant of any of these (such as a grandchild or niece). The child must live with you for more than half the year, be under age 17 at the end of 2024, and be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien with a valid Social Security number.
Only one person can claim each child. If parents are divorced or separated, the parent with primary custody usually claims the child, but this can be transferred by written agreement. If you are not the parent, you must be the child's legal guardian or have a court order giving you custody.
The child cannot be claimed by more than one taxpayer in the same year. If two people try to claim the same child, the IRS will reject one of the claims and may delay both refunds while they investigate.
Income limits and how the credit phases out
The full $2,000 credit is available if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is at or below $400,000 (married filing jointly) or $200,000 (single, head of household, or married filing separately). Your MAGI is usually the same as your adjusted gross income shown on your tax return.
For every $1,000 of income above the threshold, the credit reduces by $50. If you exceed the threshold by $1 to $1,000, the credit drops by $50. If you exceed it by $1,001 to $2,000, the credit drops by $100. This continues until the credit reaches zero.
Example: A single filer with $205,000 in income exceeds the $200,000 threshold by $5,000. The credit reduces by $250 (5 × $50), so instead of $2,000 per child, the credit is $1,750 per child.
Refundability and whether you get money back
The Child Tax Credit is partially refundable under current law, meaning you can receive money back even if you owe no federal income tax. However, the refundable portion — called the Additional Child Tax Credit — is limited to 15 percent of your earned income above $2,500, with a maximum of $1,700 per child for 2024.
This means if you have little or no tax liability and low earned income, you may not receive the full $2,000 credit as a refund. A parent with $15,000 in earned income and three children, for example, would have a refundable credit of only $1,875 (15 percent of $12,500), not $6,000.
The rules around refundability have changed in past years and may change again. When you file your 2024 return, your tax software or tax preparer will calculate the exact refundable amount based on your income and number of children.
Documents and information you need to claim the credit
To claim the Child Tax Credit, you need the child's full legal name and valid Social Security number. The name and number must match exactly what the Social Security Administration has on file; mismatches will cause the IRS to reject the credit.
You also need proof that the child lived with you for more than half of 2024. This is not a document you submit with your return, but you should keep records in case the IRS asks: school enrollment records, lease or mortgage documents showing your address, medical records, or daycare receipts all work.
If you are claiming a child who is not your biological child, keep documentation of your legal relationship: an adoption decree, foster care placement order, or custody agreement. The IRS may request this if your return is audited.
How to claim the credit on your tax return
When you file your federal tax return, you report each child's name and Social Security number on Schedule 8812 (if you are claiming the Additional Child Tax Credit for refundability) or directly on the main tax form if you are only claiming the non-refundable portion. Most tax software walks you through this automatically.
If you use a tax preparer, give them the child's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. They will enter the information and calculate the credit for you. If you file on your own using tax software, the software will prompt you to enter each child's information and will calculate the credit automatically.
You must file your return by the tax deadline (usually April 15) to claim the credit for that year. If you file late, you can still claim the credit, but any refund may be delayed.
Changes from previous years and what to watch for
The $2,000 per-child amount has been in place since 2018. Before that, the credit was $1,000 per child. The income thresholds and refundability rules have remained stable for 2024, but Congress has proposed changes in past years that would alter the credit amount or refundability.
If you received advance Child Tax Credit payments in previous years (such as the monthly payments in 2021), those were temporary and have ended. For 2024, you claim the credit only when you file your tax return.
Check the IRS website or your tax software each year before filing, as rules can change. If you have questions about your specific situation, the IRS offers free tax help through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a tax return to get the Child Tax Credit?
Yes. Even if you have no tax liability and are not required to file, you must file a return to claim the credit and receive any refund. The IRS does not send the credit automatically.
What if the child's Social Security number is wrong on my return?
The IRS will reject the credit and send you a notice. You must file an amended return with the correct number. Mismatches are common and are usually resolved by correcting the number and refiling.
Can I claim a child who does not have a Social Security number?
No. The child must have a valid Social Security number. If your child was born in 2024 and does not yet have a number, you can still file your return but cannot claim the credit until you obtain the number and file an amended return.
What happens if two parents both try to claim the same child?
The IRS will reject one claim. Both parents may face delays in their refunds while the IRS investigates. Only one person can claim each child per tax year. If parents are unmarried, the parent with primary custody usually claims the child unless they have a written agreement to transfer the claim.
Is the Child Tax Credit the same as the Earned Income Tax Credit?
No. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a separate credit based on your earned income and is available to lower-income workers. You can claim both the Child Tax Credit and the EITC on the same return if you meet the requirements for each.