TaxBreakCalc
Permanent · no sunset Updated 2026-06-22

Child Tax Credit Calculator

See your 2026 Child Tax Credit of $2,200 per child under 17, now permanent. Enter your family size to see the credit with the income phase-out applied.

Your Child Tax Credit
$4,400/yr
A dollar-for-dollar cut to your tax bill.
Qualifying children2
Per child$2,200
Gross credit$4,400
Under the $400,000 MFJ cutoff, you get the full credit.
Up to $1,700 per child is refundable (ACTC).
Estimate only
How this estimate is built ›

How your credit is calculated

1.gross credit = $2,200 × qualifying children (under 17)
2.phase-out: −$50 for each $1,000 MAGI over $200k single / $400k MFJ
3.your Child Tax Credit = remaining credit (dollar-for-dollar tax cut)
Remember that a credit beats a deduction. A deduction lowers taxable income. A credit lowers your tax bill dollar-for-dollar, so $2,200 of credit is worth far more than a $2,200 deduction.
Part of it is refundable. If your tax is less than the credit, up to $1,700 per child can still come back as a refund (the Additional Child Tax Credit).

Ready to file? Compare tax software

All of these handle the Child Tax Credit and the rest of your return.

TurboTax
Maximizes the CTC and qualifying-child rules.
FreeTaxUSA
Free federal e-file; handles CTC + refundable ACTC.
TaxSlayer
Family-friendly tiers; full CTC support.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Common questions

How much is the Child Tax Credit in 2026?

Under OBBBA, the Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, made permanent and indexed for inflation. A family with two young children can claim up to $4,400.

Is the $2,200 Child Tax Credit permanent?

Yes. OBBBA made the $2,200 amount permanent, so it does not sunset in 2028 like the overtime and tips deductions, and it indexed the amount to inflation.

What is the income limit for the Child Tax Credit?

It begins phasing out at $200,000 MAGI (single) or $400,000 (MFJ), reduced by $50 for each $1,000 over the threshold. Most families are well under it.

Is the Child Tax Credit refundable?

Partly. Up to $1,700 per child is refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), so you can receive it even if you owe little or no tax.

What is the Child Tax Credit age limit?

The credit covers each qualifying child under age 17 at the end of the tax year who has a valid Social Security number.

Is the 2026 Child Tax Credit different from 2025?

Both years are $2,200 per child under OBBBA, up from the old $2,000. Starting in 2026 the $2,200 amount is indexed to inflation.

Related calculators

No Tax on Overtime
$12,500 / $25,000 MFJ
No Tax on Tips
$25,000 per return
HSA Contribution
$4,400 / $8,750

Sourced to OBBBA P.L. 119-21, IRS guidance, and CRS R41873. Verified 2026-06-22, pending CPA sign-off.