Child Tax Credit & EITC Calculator

Estimate your Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents, see how income phase-outs reduce it, and check whether you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

$
kids
people

Dependents who do not qualify for the CTC

$

Default $2,200 — adjust if the amount changes for your tax year

$

Your Estimated Credits

Child Tax Credit vs. Credit for Other Dependents

CreditWorthWho Qualifies
Child Tax Credit Up to $2,200 per child Qualifying children under 17 with a valid SSN
Credit for Other Dependents $500 per dependent Dependents who do not meet the CTC's age or SSN rules

Both are non-refundable in the first instance — they reduce your tax owed. The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) lets part of the Child Tax Credit be refunded if it exceeds your liability, up to an indexed per-child maximum.

How the Income Phase-Out Works

The credit starts to shrink once your modified adjusted gross income exceeds:

  • $200,000 — single filers and heads of household
  • $400,000 — married filing jointly

Above the threshold, the credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 (or part of $1,000) of income over the limit. So a family $20,000 over the threshold loses $1,000 of credit.

Qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Credit

The EITC is a separate, refundable credit for workers with low to moderate earned income. Its rules are stricter and its amounts change every year. To qualify, you generally need:

  • Earned income from work (wages, self-employment, or certain disability income)
  • Investment income below an annual limit — large amounts of interest, dividends, or capital gains disqualify you
  • Income below the annual limit for your filing status and number of qualifying children
  • A valid Social Security number for you, your spouse, and any qualifying children
  • US citizenship or residency for the full year
Why this calculator does not estimate an exact EITC amount: the credit is calculated from a detailed IRS table with phase-in rates, maximum credits, and phase-out thresholds that differ by number of children and change annually. Rather than risk a misleading figure, use the official IRS EITC Assistant (irs.gov/eitc) for a determination, or let tax software compute it.

Claiming These Credits

  1. Child Tax Credit — computed on Schedule 8812 and carried to Form 1040.
  2. Credit for Other Dependents — also on Schedule 8812.
  3. Earned Income Tax Credit — worked out from the IRS EITC tables or your software, and entered on Form 1040.
  4. Watch the timing. By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds claiming the EITC or ACTC before mid-February.

The Bottom Line

If you have children, these credits are often the largest single line on your return. Estimate the Child Tax Credit here, then confirm your EITC eligibility with the IRS EITC Assistant before you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Child Tax Credit in 2026?

The credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17 (the amount set under the One Big Big Beautiful Bill Act for tax year 2025, indexed for inflation). You may also claim a $500 Credit for Other Dependents for dependents who do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Always confirm the current amount for your tax year.

What is the income limit for the Child Tax Credit?

The credit begins to phase out at modified adjusted gross income above $200,000 for single filers and heads of household, or $400,000 for married filing jointly. Above that, the credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 of income over the threshold.

Is the Child Tax Credit refundable?

Partly. The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) lets you receive a refund for part of the credit even if you owe no tax, up to an annual per-child maximum that is indexed for inflation. Claim it using Schedule 8812.

Who qualifies as a child for the Child Tax Credit?

The child must be under 17 at the end of the year, be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, sibling, half-sibling, or a descendant of one of them, have lived with you more than half the year, and not have provided more than half of their own support. They must have a valid Social Security number.

How do I know if I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit?

The EITC is for workers with low to moderate earned income. Eligibility depends on your earned income, your adjusted gross income, your investment income (which must be under a limit), your filing status, and whether you have qualifying children. Because the credit amounts change each year, use the IRS EITC Assistant for an official determination.

Can I claim both the Child Tax Credit and the EITC?

Yes. The two credits are separate and can be claimed together on the same return. Both are claimed on your Form 1040, with the Child Tax Credit computed on Schedule 8812 and the EITC determined from the IRS EITC tables or your tax software.

Last updated: September 2026 · Reviewed by ScholarPay editorial team · General information only — not tax or financial advice.