Free Child Tax Credit Calculator 2026 — See Your Exact Credit Amount
The Child Tax Credit just got bigger and permanent under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For 2026, the credit is $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17 — up from $2,000 in prior years — and now permanently indexed for inflation going forward. Our free Child Tax Credit calculator shows exactly how much you qualify for based on your income, filing status, and number of qualifying children. Updated for all 2026 OBBBA changes including the new $1,700 refundable portion and inflation indexing.
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Income & Filing Status
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How to Use This Child Tax Credit Calculator
Qualifying Children
Enter your number of qualifying children under 17. Each child earns you a $2,200 credit in 2026. Children must be US citizens or residents with valid SSNs.
Other Dependents
Enter any other qualifying dependents (children 17-18, full-time students 19-23, or elderly parents). These qualify for a $500 Other Dependent Credit.
Income (MAGI)
Enter your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). This determines whether you receive the full credit, a partial credit, or no credit.
Filing Status
Select Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household. Income phase-out thresholds differ by filing status.
Instant Results
See your total Child Tax Credit, refundable portion (ACTC), non-refundable portion, and phase-out calculation appear instantly.
2026 Child Tax Credit — Complete Rules
The Credit Amount — Updated Under OBBBA
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) increased the maximum CTC amount from $2,000 per child to $2,200 per child beginning in 2025, and adjusted the maximum credit for inflation beginning in 2026.
| Credit Type | 2026 Amount | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Child Tax Credit (CTC) | $2,200 per child | Qualifying children under age 17 |
| ACTC (Refundable) | Up to $1,700 per child | Refundable portion for eligible families |
| Other Dependent Credit (ODC) | $500 per dependent | Dependents not qualifying for CTC |
Income Phase-Out Thresholds 2026
You qualify for the full $2,200 credit per child if your modified adjusted gross income is $200,000 or less (single filers) or $400,000 or less (married filing jointly). Once you exceed those thresholds, the credit phases out by $50 for every $1,000 over the limit until it is fully eliminated.
| Filing Status | Full Credit Up To | Credit Eliminated At |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $200,000 | ~$244,000 (1 child) |
| Married Filing Jointly | $400,000 | ~$444,000 (1 child) |
| Head of Household | $200,000 | ~$244,000 (1 child) |
Phase-out formula
Reduction = FLOOR((MAGI - threshold) / $1,000) × $50Refundable vs Non-Refundable — Key Difference
Non-Refundable Portion
The non-refundable portion of the CTC reduces your tax bill to zero — but it cannot go below zero. If you owe $1,500 in taxes and have a $2,200 CTC, the credit wipes out your $1,500 tax bill — but you do not receive the remaining $700.
Refundable Portion (ACTC)
The amount of the Additional Child Tax Credit also increased to $1,700 per child. The ACTC is refundable — meaning it can generate a cash refund even if you owe no taxes. To qualify, you need at least $2,500 in earned income. The refundable amount is 15% of earned income above $2,500, capped at $1,700 per child.
Qualifying Child Rules — Who Counts?
Age Test
Must be under age 17 at the end of the 2026 tax year (born on or after January 1, 2010 to qualify for 2026 CTC).
Relationship Test
Your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, step-sibling, half-sibling, or a descendant of any of these.
Residency Test
Must have lived with you for more than half of 2026.
Dependency Test
You must claim the child as a dependent on your tax return.
SSN Requirement
A child must be a US citizen, national, or resident and have a valid Social Security number issued before the tax deadline.
Support Test
The child cannot have provided more than half of their own financial support during the year.
Real Examples — Child Tax Credit 2026
Example 1: Married, 2 Kids, $75k Income
Example 2: Married, 3 Kids, $420k Income
Income too high for refundable ACTC portion.
Other Dependent Credit — Children Who Don't Qualify for CTC
A nonrefundable $500 credit is available to dependents who are not eligible for the $2,200 CTC for children under 17. This credit is sometimes called the Other Dependent Credit (ODC). Dependents eligible for this credit include children ages 17-18 or those 19-23 and in school full time.
Who qualifies for the $500 ODC:
- Your child age 17 or 18
- Your child age 19-23 who is a full-time student
- Elderly parent you support
- Other qualifying relative who lives with you
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Starting in 2026, you can claim up to 50% of eligible childcare expenses. Maximum expenses used for calculation: $3,000 for one person, $6,000 for two or more.
Max 2026 Credit
$3,000
Separate from CTC
Trump Accounts — New 2026 Savings Benefit
Employers can contribute up to $2,500 per year toward an employee's or dependent's Trump Account without it counting as taxable income. Funds must be invested in stock index trackers like the S&P 500.
Newborn Benefit Pilot
Eligible newborns born between 2025-2028 can receive a one-time $1,000 federal pilot contribution. Requires action before July 4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — Child Tax Credit 2026
Related Tax Guides
Child Tax Credit 2026 Guide
Complete OBBBA guide — income limits, refundable portion, and who qualifies.
How to Fill Out a W-4 Form in 2026
Step-by-step guide to claiming your Child Tax Credit correctly on your W-4 form.
2026 Federal Tax Brackets Explained
See the full list of 2026 tax brackets and how credits reduce your tax bill.