Child Tax Credit Calculator United States
This Child Tax Credit calculator estimates your credit, the Credit for Other Dependents, the income phaseout and the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit.
What it does
The Child Tax Credit Calculator estimates your Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents, applies the income phaseout, and shows how much may be refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Data sources & parameters
The figures below drive this calculator. We keep them aligned with the latest official guidance, and each result recalculates automatically whenever a value changes.
| Parameter | Value | Source | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Tax Credit per qualifying child | 2,200 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01Verified 2026-09-06 against Rev. Proc. 2025-32 s4.05(1) (IRC 24(a)): maximum credit $2,200 for taxable years beginning in 2026. |
| Credit for Other Dependents | 500 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01Credit for Other Dependents (non-refundable, not indexed) |
| Refundable Additional Child Tax Credit, per child | 1,700 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01Verified 2026-09-06 against Rev. Proc. 2025-32 s4.05(2) (IRC 24(d)(1)(A)): refundable portion $1,700 for taxable years beginning in 2026. |
| CTC phaseout threshold, single / HoH / MFS | 200,000 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01CTC phase-out MAGI start, single/HOH (statutory) |
| CTC phaseout threshold, married filing jointly | 400,000 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01CTC phase-out MAGI start, MFJ (statutory) |
| CTC phaseout rate (per $1,000 over threshold) | 0.05 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01CTC phase-out rate (50 dollars per 1000 over threshold) |
| ACTC earned-income rate | 0.15 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01ACTC earned-income phase-in rate (15%) |
| ACTC earned-income floor | 2,500 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01ACTC earned-income floor (statutory) |
We always strive to use the latest data for every variable so our results and reports are as accurate as possible. Even so, errors are possible — you should not rely on this tool or its report alone, and we accept no liability for any decision made based on it.
The formula
Credit = children × per-child + other dependents × $500, less $50 per $1,000 of MAGI over the threshold
How it works
It multiplies your qualifying children by the per-child credit, adds the credit for other dependents, reduces the total by $50 for every $1,000 of MAGI over the threshold, and estimates the refundable portion.
Where it is used
- Estimating the Child Tax Credit for the year
- Seeing how the credit phases out at higher income
- Checking the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit
Worked example
For a married couple with 2 qualifying children and MAGI of $120,000.00, the credit before phaseout is …; with income under the $400,000 threshold there is no phaseout, so the Child Tax Credit is ….
What the Child Tax Credit calculator does
The Child Tax Credit calculator estimates the credit you can claim for your children and other dependents, how it shrinks at higher incomes, and how much of it may come back as a refund. It combines the credit amount, the income phaseout and the refundable limit, so you see more than the per-child figure.
The Child Tax Credit is one of the most widely claimed credits in the tax code, and both the amount and the refundability rules have changed several times in recent years. The tool uses current figures and shows each step of the calculation.
How the credit is calculated
- First, it finds the gross credit: qualifying children times the per-child amount, plus other dependents times the Credit for Other Dependents.
- Second, it reduces that total for income above the threshold, by $50 for every $1,000 over the line.
- Third, it estimates the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit from your earned income and the per-child cap.
Two families with the same number of children can receive very different amounts because income and earned income both affect the result.
The credit amounts
For 2026, the calculator applies a Child Tax Credit of $2,200 for each qualifying child under 17. The Credit for Other Dependents provides $500 for dependents who do not meet the child rules, such as older children in school, elderly parents or other qualifying relatives you support. That second credit is nonrefundable: it can reduce your tax to zero but is not paid out as a refund on its own.
Enter both your qualifying children and your other dependents; the two credits are combined for the phaseout.
The income phaseout
The credit phases out as income rises. The calculator reduces the combined credit by $50 for every $1,000, or fraction of $1,000, by which your modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold: $400,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for everyone else.
Because the reduction rounds up to the next $1,000, being even slightly over the threshold triggers a reduction, and it continues until the credit reaches zero. The joint threshold is double the others, so select the correct filing status.
The refundable Additional Child Tax Credit
If your credit is larger than the tax you owe, you may receive some of the excess as the Additional Child Tax Credit. For 2026 it is capped at $1,700 per qualifying child and also limited to 15% of your earned income above $2,500, whichever is less.
That is why the calculator asks for earned income. A family with modest earnings may not get the full refundable amount because of the 15% limit, while a family with higher earnings is more likely to reach the per-child cap. Leave earned income at zero to see the credit only as an offset against tax owed.
Reading your result
The calculator shows the gross credit, the phaseout reduction, the refundable portion and the nonrefundable portion, so you can see how much reduces your tax bill and how much could be refunded. The Credit for Other Dependents is shown separately.
This is an estimate for planning. The actual credit depends on the exact definition of a qualifying child, your final tax liability and other credits on your return. Rules such as the Social Security number requirement for each child can affect eligibility, so confirm the details when you file.
When to use this tool
Use it when planning your budget, adjusting withholding or estimating a refund, and when your family grows, a dependent’s age or status changes, or your income nears the phaseout threshold. Before year-end you can still lower your modified adjusted gross income through retirement contributions or similar moves. The amounts and rules change often, so recalculate each year.
This is general information only and not financial advice.
About This Child Tax Credit Calculator
Use this child tax credit calculator to get an instant, accurate estimate. The figures follow official IRS guidance and every rate and threshold is kept up to date for 2026. Adjust the inputs above to match your situation, or browse all our calculators to plan your next step.
Tax year 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Child Tax Credit?
Who counts as a qualifying child?
How does the income phaseout work?
What is the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit?
Why does my earned income matter?
Is this an exact figure?
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