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

The Child Tax Credit for 2024 is a tax reduction of up to $2,000 for each child you claim who is under age 17 at the end of 2024. The IRS subtracts this amount directly from the federal income tax you owe. If the credit is larger than your tax bill, you may receive the difference as a refund, though the refundable portion has a limit.

This credit applies when you file your 2024 tax return in early 2025. The amount does not change based on your income unless you earn above certain thresholds, at which point the credit begins to phase out. You claim the credit on your tax return by listing each child's name and Social Security number.

Key Takeaways

  • The credit is $2,000 per child under 17, and you claim it when you file your 2024 tax return in 2025.
  • Your income must be below $400,000 (married filing jointly) or $200,000 (single or head of household) to receive the full credit; above those amounts, the credit reduces by $50 for each $1,000 over the limit.
  • The child must have a valid Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien, and live with you for more than half the year.
  • Up to $1,700 of the credit can be refunded to you if you owe less tax than the credit amount, though this refundable portion depends on your earned income.
  • You cannot claim the credit for the same child on two different tax returns, even if you and the other parent both file separately.

Income limits and how the credit phases out

The full $2,000 credit is available if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is $400,000 or less for married couples filing jointly, or $200,000 or less for single filers and heads of household. Your MAGI is usually the same as your adjusted gross income shown on your tax return.

Once your income exceeds these thresholds, the credit decreases by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) above the limit. For example, if you are single with MAGI of $210,000, you are $10,000 over the $200,000 threshold. That means your credit reduces by $500 (10 × $50), bringing your credit from $2,000 down to $1,500 per child. The reduction applies to each child you claim.

Who counts as your child for this credit

Your child must meet four conditions. First, they must be your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of these (such as a grandchild you care for). Second, they must be under age 17 at the end of 2024. Third, they must have a valid Social Security number issued by the Social Security Administration. Fourth, they must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien.

The child must also live with you for more than half of 2024. Temporary absences for school, medical care, military service, or vacation count as time living with you. If you and the other parent are divorced or separated, the parent who has custody for the greater part of the year typically claims the credit, unless you have a written agreement saying otherwise.

The refundable portion of the credit

The Child Tax Credit is partly refundable, meaning you can receive money back even if you owe no federal income tax. The refundable portion is called the Additional Child Tax Credit, and for 2024 it is limited to $1,700 per child. This limit is set by law and does not change year to year.

To receive the refundable portion, your earned income must be at least $2,500 for the year. Earned income includes wages, salaries, self-employment income, and similar payments for work you did. If your earned income is below $2,500, you can still claim the non-refundable $2,000 credit to reduce your tax bill, but you will not receive a refund for the amount that exceeds your tax.

How to claim the credit on your tax return

When you file your 2024 federal tax return, you report each child on Schedule 8812 (for the refundable portion) and on your main tax form. You will need each child's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The IRS matches this information against Social Security Administration records, so the name and number must be exact.

If you file electronically, tax software will walk you through the questions and calculate the credit automatically. If you file by paper, you complete the relevant schedules and attach them to your return. The credit reduces your tax liability first; any remaining credit amount (up to $1,700 per child) may be refunded to you if you are due a refund.

What happens if two parents claim the same child

Only one person can claim the credit for each child in a given year. If both parents file separate returns and both claim the same child, the IRS will reject one of the claims during processing. This typically results in the return being held for review, and you may receive a notice asking you to clarify who should claim the child.

If you and the other parent cannot agree, the IRS has rules about who has the right to claim the child. Generally, the parent with custody for the greater part of the year can claim the credit. However, if you have a signed written agreement (such as a divorce decree or custody order) that gives the other parent the right to claim the child, that agreement controls.

Changes from previous years

The $2,000 per-child amount has been in place since 2018. In 2021 and 2022, the credit was temporarily expanded to $3,000 per child (or $3,600 for children under 6) and was partially refundable in advance through monthly payments. Those temporary increases ended after 2022, and the credit returned to $2,000 per child for 2023 and continues at that amount for 2024.

The income thresholds for phase-out ($400,000 for married filers and $200,000 for single filers) have remained the same since 2018. These thresholds are not adjusted annually for inflation, so they stay fixed unless Congress changes the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your child must have a valid Social Security number to claim the credit. If your child was born late in 2024 and does not yet have a number, you can apply for one at the Social Security Administration office or online. Once you receive the number, you can amend your return to claim the credit.

What if my child turned 17 during 2024?

You cannot claim the credit for that child. The credit applies only to children under age 17 at the end of the tax year. If your child turned 17 on December 31, 2024, they do not count. If they turned 17 on January 1, 2024, they also do not count for that year.

Do I lose the entire credit if my income is slightly over the limit?

No. The credit phases out gradually. For every $1,000 (or part of $1,000) over the income threshold, the credit reduces by $50 per child. So if you are $1,000 over the limit, you lose $50 per child, not the entire $2,000.

Can I claim the credit if my child lives with their other parent most of the year?

Generally, no. The child must live with you for more than half the year. If the other parent has custody for the greater part of the year, they have the right to claim the credit. You can claim it only if you have a written agreement (such as a custody order) that gives you that right.

What if I owe back taxes or child support?

If you owe federal income tax from a prior year, the IRS may use your refund to pay that debt. If you owe child support, state agencies may also intercept your refund. The credit itself is not denied, but your refund may be reduced or eliminated by these offsets.