How does Child Tax Credit work?

File your 2023 tax return by April 15, 2024 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. The credit does not count as income and will not affect your eligibility for public benefits.

Am I eligible for Child Tax Credit?

To be eligible for the credit in the 2023 tax year, you should meet these requirements: 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 child, stepchild, grandchild, eligible foster child, adopted child, sibling, niece, or nephew. Your child or dependent 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)

1. How it Works

When filing taxes for 2023, families can claim this tax credit worth up to $2,000 for each qualifying child under 17 years old.

File your 2023 tax return by April 15, 2024 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.
The credit does not count as income and will not affect your eligibility for public benefits.

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

To be eligible for the credit in the 2023 tax year, you should meet these requirements:

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 child, stepchild, grandchild, eligible foster child, adopted child, sibling, niece, or nephew.
Your child or dependent 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.

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3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

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

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Get free tax filing help if your family earned $85,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $59,000 or less in 2023. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can help you file online, in person, or after you drop off your documents.

Complete Form 1040. Also complete Schedule 8812 to see how much of the Child Tax Credit you can receive.

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Tax credit for families with children