Child Tax Credit Calculator 2026
Estimate your 2026 child tax credit: up to $2,200 for each qualifying child under 17, plus $500 for each other dependent. Enter your income, filing status, and dependents, and the calculator shows how much of the credit lowers your tax and how much comes back as a refund.
If your credit is bigger than your income tax, up to $1,700 per child can still be paid to you as the refundable additional child tax credit — limited to 15% of your earned income above $2,500. Higher earners see the credit shrink once income passes $200,000, or $400,000 for married couples.
Calculator
Other dependents include children 17 and older, qualifying relatives, and children without a work-eligible SSN; each counts for the $500 credit for other dependents.
Your 2026 child tax credit
$4,400
of a possible $4,400
- Reduces your income tax
- $1,585
- Refundable (additional child tax credit)
- $2,815
- Federal income tax before credits
- $1,585
2026: $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, up to $1,700 refundable; $500 per other dependent (not refundable). Both phase out by $50 per $1,000 of income over $200,000 ($400,000 joint). You (or a spouse on a joint return) and each child must have a work-eligible SSN. Assumes the standard deduction. Estimate only — not tax advice.
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Calculation Formulas
The phase-out counts any fraction of $1,000 as a full $1,000.
Reduces your income tax, but not below zero.
Schedule 8812. Credit for other dependents isn’t refundable.
Example:
HoH, $40,000, 2 kids: min($2,815, $3,400, $5,625) = $2,815.
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Credit per child | $2,200 | Children under 17, 2026. |
| Refundable cap | $1,700 per child | 2026. |
| Other dependents | $500 | Not refundable. |
| Phase-out threshold | $200,000 / $400,000 | Single and HoH / joint; not indexed. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: October 2026
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32
Sets the 2026 $2,200 credit and $1,700 refundable amount.
- Internal Revenue Code §24
The $2,500 earned-income threshold, 15% refundability rate, phase-out rules, and the SSN requirement added in 2025.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your filing status and the number of children under 17 and other dependents.
- Enter your wages and other earned income.
- Add any other taxable income.
- Read your total credit, the part that reduces your tax, and the refundable part.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the child tax credit for 2026?
$2,200 per qualifying child under 17, of which up to $1,700 is refundable. Each other dependent, such as a child 17 or older, qualifies for a $500 nonrefundable credit.
How does the refundable part work?
If the credit is more than your income tax, you can receive the excess as a refund — up to $1,700 per child, and no more than 15% of your earned income above $2,500. A head of household earning $40,000 with two children uses $1,585 of the credit against tax and gets about $2,815 refunded.
What is the income limit for the child tax credit?
The credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 (or part of $1,000) of modified AGI above $200,000, or $400,000 for married couples filing jointly. Those thresholds are not adjusted for inflation.
Does my child need a Social Security number?
Yes. Under the 2025 tax law, each qualifying child must have a work-eligible Social Security number, and so must you — or at least one spouse on a joint return. A child without one may still qualify for the $500 credit for other dependents.
Guides to go with this calculator
2027 HSA Contribution Limits (and 2026): Full Guide
The IRS has already set the 2027 HSA limits: $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for families. Here are the 2026 and 2027 numbers, who qualifies, and how to decide between an HSA and an FSA at open enrollment.
2027 Tax Brackets & Standard Deduction (Projected)
The IRS hasn’t published its 2027 numbers yet, but the major tax publishers agree on nearly every line: about 3.2% higher brackets, a $16,600 / $33,200 standard deduction, and a $20,000 gift exclusion.
No Tax on Tips: How the $25,000 Deduction Works
Tipped workers can now deduct up to $25,000 of tips from their federal taxable income — but it isn’t truly “no tax.” Here’s exactly what it covers, what it doesn’t, and what it’s worth.
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