Child Tax Credit Calculator 2026
Estimate your 2026 Child Tax Credit (up to $2,200/child), refundable Additional Child Tax Credit (up to $1,700/child), and Credit for Other Dependents ($500). Free, no sign-up required.
The phase-out threshold depends on filing status.
Children under 17 at end of tax year with valid SSN who lived with you more than half the year.
Elderly parents, older children, or other qualifying relatives. Each gets a $500 non-refundable credit.
Your MAGI for CTC purposes. Usually close to your AGI. Phase-out starts at $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (MFJ).
Wages, salaries, self-employment income. Used to calculate the refundable ACTC (15% of earned income above $2,500).
Your total federal income tax before credits. The non-refundable portion can only reduce this to zero.
💵 Total Tax Credit
—
Non-Refundable CTC
—
Refundable ACTC
—
Base CTC ($2,200/child)
—
Other Dependents ($500)
—
Phase-out Reduction
—
💡 What this means
—
📚 Maximize your tax savings
📚 See top-rated tax saving & family finance books on Amazon →📝 How to use this Child Tax Credit calculator
- Select your filing status — Single/Head of Household or Married Filing Jointly. This determines your phase-out threshold.
- Enter qualifying children — children under 17 at the end of 2026 with a valid SSN who lived with you more than half the year.
- Enter other dependents — dependents age 17+ (elderly parents, older children) who qualify for the $500 Credit for Other Dependents.
- Enter your MAGI — your Modified Adjusted Gross Income. For most people, this equals your AGI. The phase-out starts at $200K (single) or $400K (MFJ).
- Enter earned income and tax liability — earned income determines your refundable ACTC; tax liability limits the non-refundable portion.
- Click Calculate — see your total credit, how much is refundable vs. non-refundable, and any phase-out reduction.
📌 5 tips for maximizing your Child Tax Credit
- ✓ Know the $2,200 per-child amount. For 2026, the OBBBA made the $2,200 per qualifying child permanent. With 3 children, that's $6,600 in base credit before any phase-out. Up to $1,700 per child is refundable via the ACTC.
- ✓ Watch the phase-out threshold. The credit reduces by $50 for every $1,000 over $200K (single) or $400K (MFJ). A family at $450K MFJ with 2 kids loses $2,500 from their $4,400 base credit. Timing income (bonuses, capital gains) across years can preserve more credit.
- ✓ Don't forget other dependents. Elderly parents, college students 17+, and other qualifying relatives each get a $500 non-refundable Credit for Other Dependents. This is often missed — a parent supporting an elderly parent may be leaving $500 on the table.
- ✓ Understand refundability. Only $1,700 per child is refundable. If your tax liability is low, you may not get the full non-refundable portion. The ACTC is 15% of earned income above $2,500, so you need ~$11,633 earned income per child to max the refundable amount.
- ✓ Check SSN requirements. Each qualifying child must have a valid Social Security Number issued before the tax return due date. ITINs don't qualify for the CTC (but may qualify for the $500 ODC). Ensure all children have SSNs before filing.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It uses 2026 tax year rules under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): $2,200/child CTC, $1,700 refundable ACTC, $500 Credit for Other Dependents, and $200K/$400K MAGI phase-out thresholds. Actual eligibility depends on many factors including residency, citizenship, support tests, and custody arrangements. This tool is not tax advice. Consult a tax professional or the IRS for guidance tailored to your situation.
Related Tools
Tax credits are one piece of your financial picture. These calculators cover the rest — from income tax brackets to retirement savings and dependent care costs.
- Estimated Tax Calculator — estimate your quarterly self-employment tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties and plan around your CTC.
- Income Tax Calculator Canada — calculate Canadian federal and provincial income tax, including the Canada Child Benefit.
- Childcare Cost Calculator — estimate annual daycare and childcare costs, and compare them to the Dependent Care FSA tax benefit.
- HSA vs FSA Calculator — compare Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts for family tax savings beyond the CTC.
- Tax Refund Estimator — estimate your total tax refund including the CTC, other credits, and withholding adjustments.
- W-4 Withholding Calculator — adjust your W-4 to account for the Child Tax Credit and avoid over- or under-withholding throughout the year.
- Retirement Savings Calculator — plan your long-term savings while accounting for tax credits that free up cash for investing.