If the child tax credit reduces your federal tax liability to zero, you may receive a tax refund called the Additional Child Tax Credit.

If you have one or two children;

The refundable tax credit is the lesser of the two amounts;

1) the leftover money of the child tax credit or;

2) 15% of the taxpayer’s earned income over $3,000

If you have three or more children;

1) the leftover money of the child tax credit

2) Whichever amount is the largest between these two;  15% of a person’s earned income over $3,000 or;

The total of Social Security and Medicare taxes paid minus the money gained from the Earned Income Tax Credit.

tax credit calculator

You can also calculate your additional child tax credit amount by using the dependent tax credit calculator.

Claim the Child Tax Credit

Income Limits for Child Tax Credit

Learn More About the Child Tax Credit