Estimate your federal Child Tax Credit. For tax year 2025 (filed in 2026), the credit is up to $2,000 per qualifying child with up to $1,700 refundable. Income phase-outs begin at $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married filing jointly.
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is one of the largest federal tax benefits available to U.S. families. For tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026), the credit is up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17, with up to $1,700 of that available as a refundable credit through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). A refundable credit reduces tax owed dollar-for-dollar, and any excess is paid as a refund — so even families with no tax liability can receive a check.
The credit phases out gradually for higher-income households. Above the phase-out threshold — $200,000 in adjusted gross income for single filers and head of household, $400,000 for married filing jointly — the credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of additional income. The phase-out is gentle: a family $50,000 over the threshold loses $2,500 of credit, not the entire benefit.
This calculator estimates your CTC using current-law rules — the rules that apply if Congress takes no further action. The CTC has been expanded and contracted by several pieces of legislation over the past decade (most notably the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the temporary 2021 American Rescue Plan expansion), and the current $2,000 figure is the post-2017 baseline. Final-year rules may differ if new legislation passes.
Married filing jointly. AGI = $95,000. Two qualifying children. Base credit: 2 × $2,000 = $4,000 AGI well below the $400,000 phase-out threshold → no reduction. CTC = $4,000 If federal tax owed before the credit is $6,500, the credit drops it to $2,500. If federal tax owed before the credit is $1,200, the credit zeroes the tax and the additional $2,800 may be paid as a refund (capped at $1,700 per child = $3,400, so the full $2,800 is refunded).
Single filer. AGI = $235,000. One qualifying child. Base credit: 1 × $2,000 = $2,000 AGI exceeds $200,000 threshold by $35,000. Reduction = 35 × $50 = $1,750 CTC = max(0, $2,000 − $1,750) = $250 A $35,000 income increase above the threshold cost this family $1,750 of credit — an effective extra marginal tax rate of 5% over that range.
Single filer. AGI = $245,000. One qualifying child. Base credit: $2,000 Reduction: 45 × $50 = $2,250 CTC = max(0, $2,000 − $2,250) = $0 The credit phases out completely at $40,000 above the threshold for one child ($240,000 AGI single). With two children the credit fully phases out $40,000 later at each step. The phase-out is roughly proportional to the number of children.
Use this calculator when planning your annual federal tax bill, evaluating the impact of a raise that pushes you into or near the phase-out range, or estimating the size of an expected refund. The CTC is one of the largest line items on most middle-income families' returns — knowing the number in advance makes withholding adjustments and estimated tax payments much easier.
For households near the phase-out threshold, the calculator is especially useful for comparing year-end planning moves: a bonus deferral, an extra 401(k) or HSA contribution (which reduces AGI), or a charitable contribution can each restore a few hundred dollars of CTC.
Pair the result with the income-tax-estimator (to see total federal tax owed before and after the credit) and the earned-income-credit calculator (which may apply to lower-income families with children).
It is not a substitute for filing your actual return. Edge cases — split custody, dependent care credits, the Credit for Other Dependents (for children 17+ or non-child dependents), or state child tax credits — require careful reading of IRS Publication 972 or a qualified preparer. Treat the calculator as a planning estimate, not a final answer.
Estimate your Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) based on income and dependents.
Estimate your federal income tax using current brackets and deductions.
Calculate tax savings from charitable donations and deductions.
Calculate taxes on lottery winnings with lump sum vs annuity comparison.
Convert hourly wage to annual salary with overtime calculations.
Estimate how 2026 tariffs will increase your annual household costs by spending category.
Total Credit
$4,400
Credit Per Child
$2,200
Refundable Portion
$3,400
Phase-Out Reduction
$0