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Is the Child Tax Credit refundable?

Yes, part of the Child Tax Credit can be refundable if you qualify. Find out how much and what that means for your taxes.

Program rules & income limits
  • Published Sep 21, 2026
  • Reviewed Sep 21, 2026
  • 1 min read
A mother hugging her two children on the couch

Yes, part of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is refundable. That means you can get money back even if you owe no taxes.

How the refundable part works

The Child Tax Credit has a refundable portion called the Additional Child Tax Credit. If this refundable part is larger than the taxes you owe, the IRS sends you the difference as a refund.

This is different from a non-refundable credit, which can only reduce the taxes you owe to zero.

How much is refundable

[VERIFY: What is the current maximum refundable amount and any limits based on earned income?]

Who gets the refundable part

You may qualify for the refundable part if you have a qualifying child and meet income limits. The refundable amount depends on your earned income and tax situation.

Only the IRS can determine if you qualify. Applying is free, and you file through your tax return.

What to do next

If you have a qualifying child, file your tax return even if no one is requiring you to. Include the Child Tax Credit to see if you get a refund. You can file on your own or with help from a tax professional.

If you've already filed and didn't claim the credit, you can file an amended return to claim it.

Frequently asked questions

What is a refundable tax credit?

A refundable credit is a tax credit that can give you money back. If the credit is larger than the taxes you owe, the IRS sends you the difference. A non-refundable credit can only reduce your taxes owed to zero.

Can I get the Child Tax Credit if I don't owe taxes?

Yes. If the refundable part of the Child Tax Credit is larger than the taxes you owe, you can get money back as a refund.

Do I need to file taxes to claim the Child Tax Credit?

Yes, you must file a tax return to claim the Child Tax Credit. File even if no one requires you to, or if you think you owe no taxes. Only the IRS can determine what you qualify for.

Programs in this article

Child Tax CreditFederal · Internal Revenue ServiceThe Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that may lower the tax you owe if you are raising qualifying children.

Official sources

  1. Child Tax Credit on IRS.gov
  2. Child Tax Credit information on OwedFinder

Last reviewed Sep 21, 2026. Found an error? Tell us.

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Program rules & income limits

Researched from official agency sources and checked against our editorial policy.

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