How does Child Tax Credit work?

File your 2024 tax return by April 15, 2025 to claim this credit. Your family can be eligible even if you did not earn income or owe any income taxes. However, your child needs to have a Social Security Number. Only one parent can claim a child for the Child Tax Credit (and on their tax return). Whoever the child lived with for more than six months is the parent or caregiver who should claim the child. The credit does not count as income and will not affect your eligibility for public benefits.

Am I eligible for Child Tax Credit?

You must meet the requirements below to be eligible for the credit for the 2024 tax year. You earned up to $200,000 and up to $400,000 if you are married filing jointly. You’re claiming a child on your tax return who is: 16 or younger The child must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Adoption Tax Identification Number (ATIN). The filer may use an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Qualifying children must be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew) Your child or dependent must have lived with you for over half of the year in the U.S. and you are claiming them as a dependent on your tax return. Your child cannot provide more than half of their own financial support.

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

How it Works

When filing taxes for 2024, families can claim this tax credit worth up to $2,000 for each qualifying child under 17 years old. Up to $1,700 is refundable, meaning you can get the money even if you don’t owe any tax.

File your 2024 tax return by April 15, 2025 to claim this credit.
Your family can be eligible even if you did not earn income or owe any income taxes. However, your child needs to have a Social Security Number.
Only one parent can claim a child for the Child Tax Credit (and on their tax return). Whoever the child lived with for more than six months is the parent or caregiver who should claim the child.
The credit does not count as income and will not affect your eligibility for public benefits.

Determine your eligibility

You must meet the requirements below to be eligible for the credit for the 2024 tax year.

You earned up to $200,000 and up to $400,000 if you are married filing jointly.
You’re claiming a child on your tax return who is:
- 16 or younger
- The child must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Adoption Tax Identification Number (ATIN). The filer may use an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Qualifying children must be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew)
Your child or dependent must have lived with you for over half of the year in the U.S. and you are claiming them as a dependent on your tax return.
- Your child cannot provide more than half of their own financial support.

What you need to include

See a list of documents you’ll need to file your taxes and claim the CTC.

How to apply

File your federal taxes for free with getyourrefund.org to claim the Child Tax Credit.

If mailing your tax return, complete Form 1040 and Schedule 8812.

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More information

Learn about tax credits that you can claim.

Call 800-906-9887 to find the nearest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).

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Last Updated January 27, 2025

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Tax credit for families with children