Child Tax Credit Calculator 2026
2026Calculate your Child Tax Credit and Other Dependent Credit. See phase-out thresholds and net credit amount for your income.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications
Total Tax Credit
$4,400.00
Phase-Out Reduction
$0.00
Per Child Amount
$2,200.00
Child Tax Credit Breakdown
| Children under 17 (2 x $2,200.00) | $4,400.00 |
| Total Credit (before phase-out) | $4,400.00 |
| Phase-out threshold (Married) | $400,000.00 |
| Income below phase-out threshold | No reduction |
| Net Credit | $4,400.00 |
| Refundable portion (up to $1,700/child) | $3,400.00 |
| Non-refundable portion | $1,000.00 |
Use the Child Tax Credit Calculator 2026 above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
For the 2026 tax year, the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child and $500 per other dependent, and where your income lands decides how much of that you actually keep. The estimate here reflects the 2026 thresholds and credit values set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act so you can see how earnings interact with the maximum before any reduction kicks in.
The math begins with your top potential credit, set by the count of qualifying children and other dependents. From there the credit drops by 5% of every dollar of Adjusted Gross Income above the phase-out lines: $400,000 for married filing jointly and $200,000 for everyone else. The non-refundable share can only offset your tax liability, while the refundable piece, the Additional Child Tax Credit, is capped at 15% of earned income over $2,500, up to $1,700 per child.
Because the credit is non-refundable against your tax bill, any leftover may still come back to you through the Additional Child Tax Credit. The earned income test is where claims often fall apart: your earned income has to clear $2,500 for each child you want the refundable portion on. These figures reflect the 2026 amounts the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made permanent.
Example: Married Couple with Two Children and One Dependent
- 1 Input: Married Filing Jointly, AGI = $350,000, Two Qualifying Children, One Other Dependent. Earned Income = $80,000. Tax Liability = $20,000.
- 2 Calculation: Maximum CTC (2 children) = $4,000. Maximum ODC (1 dependent) = $500. Total Potential Credit = $4,500. AGI ($350,000) is below the MFJ phase-out threshold ($400,000), so no phase-out applies. Non-refundable portion is $4,500 (capped by tax liability of $20,000). No refundable portion needed as the full credit is non-refundable.
- 3 Intermediate Result: Gross Credit = $4,500. Phase-out = $0. Net Credit Before Refundability Check = $4,500.
- 4 Final Result: Estimated Net Child Tax Credit and Other Dependent Credit for 2026 = $4,500. This entire amount directly reduces their tax liability.
Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Child Tax Credit for 2026?
What are the income phase-out limits for the Child Tax Credit?
Can I claim the Child Tax Credit for a 17-year-old?
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