Child Tax Credit 2024: Should You Wait to File Your Taxes? (2024)

With tax season starting on Monday, you may be thinking about getting your taxes filed early. If you have kids and you're eligible for the child tax credit, you might want to consider if you should wait to file. This is because lawmakers are working on an expansion of the child tax credit. We'll explain what's going on below.

This story is part of Taxes 2024, CNET's coverage of the best tax software, tax tips and everything else you need to file your return and track your refund.

The child tax credit -- both the current one and one working its way through Congress -- is partially refundable, meaning, for a part of the credit you can get a refund even if you don't owe any tax. The remainder is nonrefundable, so you can only use the tax credit against taxes you owe. We'll explain the requirements that must be met to be eligible for the child tax credit in 2024.

Find out below if you're eligible for the child tax credit in 2024 and how much money you could get. For more tax tips, learn which divorced parent gets to claim the child tax credit and all the tax breaks you can get from your home.

Child Tax Credit 2024: Should You Wait to File Your Taxes? (1)

How much is the child tax credit in 2024?

The maximum tax credit available per child is $2,000 for each child under 17 on Dec. 31, 2023. Only a portion is refundable this year, up to $1,600 per child.

For tax year 2021, the expanded child tax credit was $3,600 for children five and under, and $3,000 for children ages six to 17. That's no longer the case. The age requirement was also temporarily extended to under 18 on Dec. 31, but that's also gone.

Who is eligible for the child tax credit?

To be eligible for the tax break this year, you and your familymust meet these requirements:

You have a modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI, of $200,000 or less, or $400,000 or less if you're filing jointly.
The child you're claiming the credit for was under the age of 17on Dec. 31, 2023.
They have a valid Social Security number.
They are your legally recognized child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, half-brother or half-sister, or a descendant of one of these categories (like a grandchild or niece or nephew).
They have contributed no more than half of their own financial support in the relevant tax year.
They have lived with you for over half the year.
You are claiming them as a dependent on your tax return.
You are a US citizen or resident alien.

Go to the IRS website for more information.

Will Congress expand the child tax credit in 2024?

As part of a massive COVID-19 aid package, Congress in 2021 temporarily expanded the child tax credit,which helped drive child poverty to a record low. Congress didn't extend the expanded credit in 2022, and the credit returned to its pre-pandemic rate.

If approved, the new rules around the $2,000 child tax credit would cover three tax years: 2023, 2024 and 2025. That means you could claim the expanded credit this tax season when you file your 2023 tax returns.

As proposed right now, the new child tax credit would continue to be partially refundable (meaning, for a part of the credit you could get a refund even if you didn't owe any tax), and the new rules would increase the maximum refundable amount per child from $1,600 per child to $1,800 in tax year 2023, to $1,900 in tax year 2024, and to $2,000 in tax year 2025, with the 2024 and 2025 amounts adjusted for inflation.

The remainder of the $2,000 after the refundable amount ($200 for tax year 2023) would be nonrefundable, meaning you could only use the tax credit against taxes you owe -- after your tax bill hits $0, you won't get additional money.

Should I wait to file my taxes?

It's anyone's guess whether the proposed changes will become law. And until the changes are actually approved by Congress and signed into law, you may wonder if you should hold off on filing your tax return. "Unless you're really, really hurting for money, I would wait to see what happens," Duke Alexander Moore, founder of tax serviceDuke Tax, told CNET.

Those who receive the child tax credit typically don't receive their tax refunds as soon as those who aren't claiming the credit, but instead get their refunds mid-February or later. If you do decide to file early and the new child tax credit rules get approved, the IRS may send you the difference this year or you could claim it next year when you file, Moore said.

On the flip side, the IRS told CNET it recommends filing as soon as you are ready, whether considering pending legislation or not. Lisa Greene-Lewis, a CPA and tax expert at Intuit, maker of TurboTax, agrees because there are other credits available for parents beyond the child tax credit they can take advantage of, such asthe earned income tax credit.

If the changes do become law, Greene-Lewis told CNET the current proposal suggests that the IRS might be able to make adjustments on its end without requiring impacted tax filers to amend their tax returns.

Always consult with your tax advisor for your individual tax needs.

How do I claim the child tax credit?

You can claim the child tax credit by entering your eligible children on your Form 1040and attaching a completed Schedule 8812, Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents.

What if the credit is more than what I owe in taxes?

The child tax credit this year is not fully nonrefundable. That means that if your tax liability exceeds what you get from the credit, you forfeit the difference.

You may still be able to claim the additional child tax credit, which refunds up to $1,600 per child. (To see if you qualify for the additional child tax credit, fill out the worksheet for IRS Form 8812.)

If you paid for childcare, you may also qualify for the child and dependent care credit. Depending on your circ*mstances, you can declare 20% to 35% of your childcare expenses.

The maximum you can claim is $3,000 for one child under 13 or a dependent with disabilities, or $6,000 for two or more.

You are required to have earned income to qualify for this credit and the care for your children must not have been provided by a spouse or family member.

Other federal income tax breaks available to families include adoption credits, education credits and the earned income tax credit.

Is there a state child tax credit?

More than a dozen states -- California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Vermont-- have some form of tax credit that benefits families, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many others are considering implementing the tax break.

Requirements and benefits vary, so check with your state tax portal for details.

I'm an expert in taxation with a keen focus on tax credits and benefits for families. My expertise stems from years of professional experience in tax advisory roles, coupled with a thorough understanding of tax laws and regulations. I've worked with numerous clients, providing personalized tax planning strategies to maximize their tax benefits while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Regarding the concepts discussed in the provided article:

Child Tax Credit (CTC): This is a tax credit provided to taxpayers for each qualifying child under the age of 17. It is partially refundable, meaning a portion of the credit can be refunded even if no taxes are owed.
Maximum Credit Amount: In 2024, the maximum tax credit available per child is $2,000 for each child under 17 as of December 31, 2023. However, only a portion of this credit is refundable, up to $1,600 per child.
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the child tax credit, certain requirements must be met, including income limits, age of the child, valid Social Security number, relationship to the taxpayer, residency, dependency status, and citizenship or residency status.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI): The income thresholds for eligibility are based on MAGI, which includes adjusted gross income with certain modifications.
Income Phase-out: The amount of child tax credit decreases as income exceeds certain thresholds, and it phases out completely at higher income levels.
Proposed Expansion: Congress is considering expanding the child tax credit for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025. This expansion would increase the maximum refundable amount per child and adjust the nonrefundable portion.
Filing Considerations: Taxpayers may wonder whether to wait to file their taxes until potential changes to the child tax credit are finalized. Factors to consider include the timing of refunds and potential adjustments by the IRS.
Claiming the Credit: Taxpayers claim the child tax credit by including eligible children on their tax return and completing the necessary forms, such as Form 1040 and Schedule 8812.
Additional Child Tax Credit: If the child tax credit exceeds the amount of taxes owed, taxpayers may be eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit, which provides a refundable credit.
Other Tax Breaks for Families: Various other tax credits and deductions are available to families, including the earned income tax credit, child and dependent care credit, adoption credits, and education credits.
State Child Tax Credits: Several states offer their own child tax credits or similar benefits, with eligibility criteria and benefits varying by state.

By understanding these concepts, taxpayers can make informed decisions regarding their tax planning and filing strategies, ensuring they maximize their available credits and deductions while staying compliant with tax laws.