What does the term "Child Tax Credit" refer to?
The Federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a tax credit offered to taxpayers meeting specific criteria, extending to those with children. In order to qualify, your child must be below the age of 17 and possess a valid Social Security Number. Furthermore, they must also be classified as a dependent on your tax return. The CTC has the potential to decrease your overall tax liability, essentially providing the possibility of eliminating your tax payment in its entirety.
By the time 2023 rolls around (when you file your 2024 taxes), the Child Tax Credit (CTC) will have a monetary value of $2,000 per eligible child if your modified adjusted gross income is $400,000 or less (for married couples filing jointly) or $200,000 or less (for all other filers). In the event that you meet the requirements, you may be entitled to a refundable portion called the additional child tax credit, which can amount to as much as $1,600 per child. Some families may even have the option to receive monthly payments rather than having to wait until tax season.
On January 16, 2024, the nonpartisan proposal known as the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 was introduced. Its purpose is to increase the maximum refundable amount per child in the upcoming tax years. Specifically, it suggests raising the amount to $1,800 for the 2023 tax year, $1,900 for the 2024 tax year, and $2,000 for the 2025 tax year.
What exactly is the Additional Child Tax Credit? What does the Additional Child Tax Credit involve?
The refundable component of the child tax credit is known as the additional child tax credit (ACTC). In case you qualify for the CTC but are unable to fully utilize it due to either not having any tax liability or owing an amount that is less than the credit amount, there is a possibility that you might still qualify for a partial refund by applying for the additional child tax credit.
In order to be eligible for the ACTC, it is necessary to satisfy the same requirements for income and dependents as that of the CTC. Additionally, there are further regulations that need to be taken into account for claiming the ACTC.
- To be eligible, you need to have a minimal earnings of $2,500 or have three or more qualifying dependents. It is required that you have earned income of at least $2,500 or possess three or more qualifying dependents.
- If you are an individual or a married couple filing jointly, it is not possible for you to claim an exemption on your taxes for foreign-earned income by submitting either Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ.