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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 24. Child tax credit

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 24

Cited in one of our articles

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
August 5, 1997 by Pub. L. 105–34
Last amended
July 4, 2025 by Pub. L. 119–21
Amendments
23 dated changes in the source credit
Length
11 subsections · 3,093 words · about 13 min to read
Defines
10 terms
Cross-references
cites 18; cited by 22 Code sections and 11 other regulations
Regulations
1 issued under this section
(a) Allowance of credit

There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year with respect to each qualifying child of the taxpayer for which the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151 an amount equal to $1,000.

(b) Limitations
(1) Limitation based on adjusted gross income

The amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “modified adjusted gross income” means adjusted gross income increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.

(2) Threshold amount For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “threshold amount” means—
(A) $110,000 in the case of a joint return,
(B) $75,000 in the case of an individual who is not married, and
(C) $55,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return.
For purposes of this paragraph, marital status shall be determined under section 7703.
(c) Qualifying child For purposes of this section—
(1) In general

The term “qualifying child” means a qualifying child of the taxpayer (as defined in section 152(c)) who has not attained age 17.

(2) Exception for certain noncitizens

The term “qualifying child” shall not include any individual who would not be a dependent if subparagraph (A) of section 152(b)(3) were applied without regard to all that follows “resident of the United States”.

(d) Portion of credit refundable
(1) In general The aggregate credits allowed to a taxpayer under subpart C shall be increased by the lesser of—
(A) the credit which would be allowed under this section without regard to this subsection and the limitation under section 26(a) or
(B) the amount by which the aggregate amount of credits allowed by this subpart (determined without regard to this subsection) would increase if the limitation imposed by section 26(a) were increased by the greater of—
(i) 15 percent of so much of the taxpayer’s earned income (within the meaning of section 32) which is taken into account in computing taxable income for the taxable year as exceeds $3,000, or
(ii) in the case of a taxpayer with 3 or more qualifying children, the excess (if any) of—
(I) the taxpayer’s social security taxes for the taxable year, over
(II) the credit allowed under section 32 for the taxable year.
The amount of the credit allowed under this subsection shall not be treated as a credit allowed under this subpart and shall reduce the amount of credit otherwise allowable under subsection (a) without regard to section 26(a). For purposes of subparagraph (B), any amount excluded from gross income by reason of section 112 shall be treated as earned income which is taken into account in computing taxable income for the taxable year.
(2) Social security taxes For purposes of paragraph (1)—
(A) In general The term “social security taxes” means, with respect to any taxpayer for any taxable year—
(i) the amount of the taxes imposed by sections 3101 and 3201(a) on amounts received by the taxpayer during the calendar year in which the taxable year begins,
(ii) 50 percent of the taxes imposed by section 1401 on the self-employment income of the taxpayer for the taxable year, and
(iii) 50 percent of the taxes imposed by section 3211(a) on amounts received by the taxpayer during the calendar year in which the taxable year begins.
(B) Coordination with special refund of social security taxes

The term “social security taxes” shall not include any taxes to the extent the taxpayer is entitled to a special refund of such taxes under section 6413(c).

(C) Special rule

Any amounts paid pursuant to an agreement under section 3121(l) (relating to agreements entered into by American employers with respect to foreign affiliates) which are equivalent to the taxes referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be treated as taxes referred to in such subparagraph.

(3) Exception for taxpayers excluding foreign earned income

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any taxpayer for any taxable year if such taxpayer elects to exclude any amount from gross income under section 911 for such taxable year.

(e) Identification requirements
(1) Qualifying child identification requirement

No credit shall be allowed under this section to a taxpayer with respect to any qualifying child unless the taxpayer includes the name and taxpayer identification number of such qualifying child on the return of tax for the taxable year and such taxpayer identification number was issued on or before the due date for filing such return.

(2) Taxpayer identification requirement

No credit shall be allowed under this section if the taxpayer identification number of the taxpayer was issued after the due date for filing the return for the taxable year.

(f) Taxable year must be full taxable year

Except in the case of a taxable year closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no credit shall be allowable under this section in the case of a taxable year covering a period of less than 12 months.

(g) Restrictions on taxpayers who improperly claimed credit in prior year
(1) Taxpayers making prior fraudulent or reckless claims
(A) In general

No credit shall be allowed under this section for any taxable year in the disallowance period.

(B) Disallowance period For purposes of subparagraph (A), the disallowance period is—
(i) the period of 10 taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer’s claim of credit under this section was due to fraud, and
(ii) the period of 2 taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer’s claim of credit under this section was due to reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations (but not due to fraud).
(2) Taxpayers making improper prior claims

In the case of a taxpayer who is denied credit under this section for any taxable year as a result of the deficiency procedures under subchapter B of chapter 63, no credit shall be allowed under this section for any subsequent taxable year unless the taxpayer provides such information as the Secretary may require to demonstrate eligibility for such credit.

(h) Special rules for taxable years beginning after 2017
(1) In general

In the case of a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, this section shall be applied as provided in paragraphs (2) through (7).

(2) Credit amount

Subsection (a) shall be applied by substituting “$2,200” for “$1,000”.

(3) Limitation

In lieu of the amount determined under subsection (b)(2), the threshold amount shall be $400,000 in the case of a joint return ($200,000 in any other case).

(4) Partial credit allowed for certain other dependents
(A) In general

The credit determined under subsection (a) (after the application of paragraph (2)) shall be increased by $500 for each dependent of the taxpayer (as defined in section 152) other than a qualifying child described in subsection (c).

(B) Exception for certain noncitizens

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any individual who would not be a dependent if subparagraph (A) of section 152(b)(3) were applied without regard to all that follows “resident of the United States”.

(C) Certain qualifying children

In the case of any qualifying child with respect to whom a credit is not allowed under this section by reason of paragraph (7), such child shall be treated as a dependent to whom subparagraph (A) applies.

(5) Maximum amount of refundable credit

The amount determined under subsection (d)(1)(A) with respect to any qualifying child shall not exceed $1,400, and such subsection shall be applied without regard to paragraph (4) of this subsection.

(6) Earned income threshold for refundable credit

Subsection (d)(1)(B)(i) shall be applied by substituting “$2,500” for “$3,000”.

(7) Social security number required
(A) In general No credit shall be allowed under this section to a taxpayer with respect to any qualifying child unless the taxpayer includes on the return of tax for the taxable year—
(i) the taxpayer’s social security number (or, in the case of a joint return, the social security number of at least 1 spouse), and
(ii) the social security number of such qualifying child.
(B) Social security number For purposes of this paragraph, the term “social security number” means a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, but only if the social security number is issued—
(i) to a citizen of the United States or pursuant to subclause (I) (or that portion of subclause (III) that relates to subclause (I)) of section 205(c)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act, and
(ii) before the due date for such return.
(i) Inflation adjustments
(1) Maximum amount of refundable credit In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2024, the $1,400 amount in subsection (h)(5) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “2017” for “2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
(2) Special rule for adjustment of credit amount In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2025, the $2,200 amount in subsection (h)(2) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “2024” for “2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
(3) Rounding

If any increase under this subsection is not a multiple of $100, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $100.

(j) Reconciliation of credit and advance credit
(1) In general

The amount of the credit allowed under this section to any taxpayer for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate amount of payments made under section 7527A to such taxpayer during such taxable year. Any failure to so reduce the credit shall be treated as arising out of a mathematical or clerical error and assessed according to section 6213(b)(1).

(2) Excess advance payments
(A) In general

If the aggregate amount of payments under section 7527A to the taxpayer during the taxable year exceeds the amount of the credit allowed under this section to such taxpayer for such taxable year (determined without regard to paragraph (1)), the tax imposed by this chapter for such taxable year shall be increased by the amount of such excess. Any failure to so increase the tax shall be treated as arising out of a mathematical or clerical error and assessed according to section 6213(b)(1).

(B) Safe harbor based on modified adjusted gross income
(i) In general

In the case of a taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income (as defined in subsection (b)) for the taxable year does not exceed 200 percent of the applicable income threshold, the amount of the increase determined under subparagraph (A) with respect to such taxpayer for such taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the safe harbor amount.

(ii) Phase out of safe harbor amount

In the case of a taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income (as defined in subsection (b)) for the taxable year exceeds the applicable income threshold, the safe harbor amount otherwise in effect under clause (i) shall be reduced by the amount which bears the same ratio to such amount as such excess bears to the applicable income threshold.

(iii) Applicable income threshold For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “applicable income threshold” means—
(I) $60,000 in the case of a joint return or surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)),
(II) $50,000 in the case of a head of household, and
(III) $40,000 in any other case.
(iv) Safe harbor amount For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “safe harbor amount” means, with respect to any taxable year, the product of—
(I) $2,000, multiplied by
(II) the excess (if any) of the number of qualified children taken into account in determining the annual advance amount with respect to the taxpayer under section 7527A with respect to months beginning in such taxable year, over the number of qualified children taken into account in determining the credit allowed under this section for such taxable year.
(k) Application of credit in possessions
(1) Mirror code possessions
(A) In general

The Secretary shall pay to each possession of the United States with a mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss (if any) to that possession by reason of the application of this section (determined without regard to this subsection) with respect to taxable years beginning after 2020. Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary based on information provided by the government of the respective possession.

(B) Coordination with credit allowed against United States income taxes

No credit shall be allowed under this section for any taxable year to any individual to whom a credit is allowable against taxes imposed by a possession of the United States with a mirror code tax system by reason of the application of this section in such possession for such taxable year.

(C) Mirror code tax system

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “mirror code tax system” means, with respect to any possession of the United States, the income tax system of such possession if the income tax liability of the residents of such possession under such system is determined by reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if such possession were the United States.

(2) Puerto Rico
(A) Application to taxable years in 2021
(i) For application of refundable credit to residents of Puerto Rico, see subsection (i)(1).
(ii) For nonapplication of advance payment to residents of Puerto Rico, see section 7527A(e)(4)(A).
(B) Application to taxable years after 2021 In the case of any bona fide resident of Puerto Rico (within the meaning of section 937(a)) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2021—
(i) the credit determined under this section shall be allowable to such resident, and
(ii) subsection (d)(1)(B)(ii) shall be applied without regard to the phrase “in the case of a taxpayer with 3 or more qualifying children”.
(3) American Samoa
(A) In general

The Secretary shall pay to American Samoa amounts estimated by the Secretary as being equal to the aggregate benefits that would have been provided to residents of American Samoa by reason of the application of this section for taxable years beginning after 2020 if the provisions of this section had been in effect in American Samoa (applied as if American Samoa were the United States and without regard to the application of this section to bona fide residents of Puerto Rico under subsection (i)(1)).

(B) Distribution requirement

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply unless American Samoa has a plan, which has been approved by the Secretary, under which American Samoa will promptly distribute such payments to its residents.

(C) Coordination with credit allowed against United States income taxes
(i) In general

In the case of a taxable year with respect to which a plan is approved under subparagraph (B), this section (other than this subsection) shall not apply to any individual eligible for a distribution under such plan.

(ii) Application of section in event of absence of approved plan In the case of a taxable year with respect to which a plan is not approved under subparagraph (B)—
(I) if such taxable year begins in 2021, subsection (i)(1) shall be applied by substituting “bona fide resident of Puerto Rico or American Samoa” for “bona fide resident of Puerto Rico”, and
(II) if such taxable year begins after December 31, 2021, rules similar to the rules of paragraph (2)(B) shall apply with respect to bona fide residents of American Samoa (within the meaning of section 937(a)).
(4) Treatment of payments

For purposes of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this subsection shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from a credit provision referred to in subsection (b)(2) of such section.

(Added Pub. L. 105–34, title I, § 101(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 796; amended Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6003(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 790; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title II, § 2001(b), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–901; Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 501(b)(1), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1919; Pub. L. 107–16, title II, §§ 201(a)–(b)(2)(C), (c)(1), (2), (d), 202(f)(2)(B), title VI, § 618(b)(2)(A), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 45–47, 49, 108; Pub. L. 107–90, title II, § 204(e)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 893; Pub. L. 107–147, title IV, §§ 411(b), 417(23)(A), Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 45, 57; Pub. L. 108–27, title I, § 101(a), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 108–311, title I, §§ 101(a), 102(a), 104(a), title II, § 204, title IV, § 408(b)(4), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1167, 1168, 1176, 1192; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 402(i)(3)(B), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2613; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(c)(1), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2488; Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title I, § 106(e)(2)(B), title II, § 205(d)(1)(A), div. C, title V, § 501(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3817, 3838, 3876; Pub. L. 110–351, title V, § 501(c)(1), Oct. 7, 2008, 122 Stat. 3979; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§ 1003(a), 1004(b)(1), 1142(b)(1)(A), 1144(b)(1)(A), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 313, 314, 330, 332; Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10909(b)(2)(A), (c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 1023; Pub. L. 111–312, title I, §§ 101(b)(1), 103(b), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3298, 3299; Pub. L. 112–240, title I, §§ 103(b), 104(c)(2)(B), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2319, 2321; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 209(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4028; Pub. L. 114–27, title VIII, § 807(a), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 418; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 101(a), (b), title II, §§ 205(a), (b), 208(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3044, 3081, 3083; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11022(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2073; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 101(i)(1), title IV, § 401(a)(3), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1162, 1184; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §§ 9611(a), (b)(2), 9612(a), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 144, 148, 150; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70104(a)–(d), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 160, 161.)

Terms defined here

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Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 24

From our articles, not part of the law

Articles that cite this section

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 18 other sections

Cited by 22 Code sections

Cited in 11 regulations not issued under it

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 119–21Parts changed in 2025: (h) (h)(1) (h)(2) (h)(5) (h)(7) (i)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 117–2Parts changed in 2021: (i) (j) (k)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141Parts changed in 2018: (d)(3) (e)(2)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (h)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 114–113Parts changed in 2015: (d)(1)(B)(i) (d)(3) (d)(5) (e) (g)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 114–27
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 113–295Parts changed in 2014: (d)(4)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 112–240Parts changed in 2013: (b)(3) (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (d)(4)
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 111–312Parts changed in 2010: (b)(3)(B) (d)(4)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 111–148
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 111–5Parts changed in 2009: (b)(3)(B) (d)(4)
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 110–351Parts changed in 2008: (a) (b)(3)(B) (d)(4)
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 110–343
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 110–172Parts changed in 2007: (d)(1)(B) (d)(1)(B)(ii)(II)
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 109–135Parts changed in 2005: (b)(3) (d)(1)
  16. Amended by Pub. L. 108–311Parts changed in 2004: (a) (c)(1) (c)(2) (d)(1) (d)(1)(B)(i) (d)(2)(A)(iii)
  17. Amended by Pub. L. 108–27Parts changed in 2003: (a)(2)
  18. Amended by Pub. L. 107–147Parts changed in 2002: (b)(3)(B) (d)(1)(B)
  19. Amended by Pub. L. 107–90Parts changed in 2001: (a) (b) (b)(1) (b)(3) (b)(3)(B) (d) (d)(1) (d)(1)(B) (d)(2) (d)(2)(A)(iii) (d)(3) (d)(4)
  20. Amended by Pub. L. 107–16
  21. Amended by Pub. L. 106–170Parts changed in 1999: (d)(2)
  22. Amended by Pub. L. 105–277Parts changed in 1998: (d)(1) (d)(2) (d)(3) (d)(4) (d)(5)
  23. Amended by Pub. L. 105–206
  24. Added by Pub. L. 105–34

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle A Income Taxes
  2. Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
  3. Subchapter A Determination of Tax Liability
  4. Part IV CREDITS AGAINST TAX
  5. Subpart A Nonrefundable Personal Credits

Nearby sections

Official notes

The Law Revision Counsel's notes for this section (amendments, effective dates and related laws) are long, so they have their own page.