Child Tax Credit Calculator
Important Child Tax Credit Message: If you qualify for the Child Tax Credit, you can file your return when you are ready regardless of if proposed legislation to increase the Child Tax Credit is decided on. If this legislation is enacted by the government and you qualify for the proposed tax credit increase but e-filed your taxes before the legislation is passed, you may be mailed a check later to receive this tax credit. You will not need to file an amendment.
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- We recommend that you start and prepare your tax return, but do not e-file your taxes until the Child Tax Credit legislation is decided on. This way, you can get the full amount direct deposited; if you file now and it is passed, then the IRS will mail you a check. You can still e-file now and not have to worry about missing out on the potential increase.
- Bookmark this page as we will update this calculator as soon as we have the finalized legislation by the United States Congress and the White House, if it is passed.
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This Child Tax Credit calculator below will let you know if you qualify for the Child Tax Credit and/or the Other Dependent Tax Credit on your current year tax return; the amounts are also included. The Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC requires information that is based on your entire return, including your income and filing status. Thus, we suggest you use the eFile Tax App to calculate all three child or dependent-related credits for your next tax return for free.
There can be three parts to the Child Tax Credit:
- The Child Tax Credit or CTC - up to $2,000 for each qualifying child
- The Credit for Other Dependents or ODC - $500 for each qualifying individual
- The Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC - up to $1,600 for qualifying individuals. This was $1,500 for 2022 returns and will be $1,700 for 2024 returns
The CTC and ODC are non-refundable tax credits, and the ACTC is a refundable tax credit that can be claimed on your next tax return.
After using the CHILDucator, we strongly recommend using the CAREucator or Child and Dependent Care Credit Calculator to determine if you might qualify for this other tax credit in case you paid child or dependent care expenses.
eFile.com will calculate all your tax credits for you. Thus, you will not have to complete complicated IRS forms. If you wish to calculate your Child Tax Credit, other dependent credit, or Additional Child Tax Credit, use Form 8812.
Once you have determined if a child or person qualifies for any of the three child tax credits, create a free eFile.com account and prepare a return for the detailed Additional Child Tax Credit amount. Only on eFile.com can you view your tax return via a PDF file at any point before you e-file your taxes with the IRS and/or state tax agency.
- If a taxpayer erroneously claims (due to reckless or intentionally wrong statements) the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Advanced Child Tax Credit (ACTC), or the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC), the taxpayer might not be allowed to claim any of these credits for two years even if the taxpayer might be otherwise eligible for them. If it is determined that an error was due to fraud, the taxpayer will not be allowed to claim any of these credits for ten years, and penalties might apply. See more details on wrongly claimed dependents and credits.
- Learn more about the Child Tax Credit, Other Dependent Credit, and Additional Child Tax Credit: Schedule 8812.
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