How to Claim the Child Tax Credit on Your Tax Return

How to claim the Child Tax Credit

You claim the Child Tax Credit by reporting it on your federal tax return when you file. The IRS does not send you a separate form or letter — you enter the credit yourself on the return you submit, either on paper or through tax software. The credit reduces the federal income tax you owe, dollar for dollar, and if the credit is larger than your tax bill, you may receive the difference as a refund.

The process differs slightly depending on how you file. If you use tax software (like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA), the program walks you through questions about your children and calculates the credit automatically. If you file on paper, you use Form 1040 and Schedule 8812. If you use a tax preparer, they handle the entry for you. The IRS does not require you to submit proof of your children's birth certificates or Social Security numbers with your return, but you must have that information ready and accurate.

Key Takeaways

• You claim the Child Tax Credit on your federal tax return by entering information about each may have access to child — their name, age, and Social Security number.
• Tax software, paper forms, or a tax preparer can all be used to claim the credit; the software route is fastest and catches most errors automatically.
• The credit is $2,000 per child under 17 as of 2024, though Congress may change this amount in future years.
• You must file a return to claim the credit, even if your income is low enough that you would not normally owe tax.
• If you received advance payments of the credit in 2024, you will reconcile those payments on your 2024 return filed in 2025.

What information you need before you file

Gather these details for each child you plan to claim: their full legal name (as it appears on their birth certificate), their date of birth, and their Social Security number. The name and Social Security number must match exactly what the Social Security Administration has on file — mismatches will delay your refund or cause the IRS to disallow the credit. If a child's name or number has changed, contact the Social Security Administration to update their record before you file.

You will also need your own Social Security number, your filing status, and your income for the year. If you are married, both spouses' information is required. If you are claiming a child who is not your biological child — a stepchild, grandchild, or other relative — you will need to show your relationship to them on the return, and they must have lived with you for more than half the year.

Using tax software to claim the credit

Tax software is the most common way people claim the Child Tax Credit. Programs like TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA, and IRS Free File (if you may have access to by income) all ask you to enter your children's information in a dedicated section. The software then calculates the credit, checks that you meet the income limits, and enters it on the correct line of your return automatically.

The software will ask you: How many children do you have? What are their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers? Did they live with you for more than half the year? Are they U.S. citizens or resident aliens? Once you answer these questions, the program shows you the credit amount and applies it to your tax bill. Most software flags common errors — like a child's age being outside the may have access to range or a Social Security number format being wrong — before you submit.

If you used an advance payment of the credit in 2024 (the monthly payments some families received), the software will ask how much you received. You will reconcile that amount against the credit you are claiming on your 2024 return, filed in 2025. If you received more in advance than you are may have access to to claim, you may owe the difference back; if you received less, you will receive the remainder as a refund.

Filing on paper with Form 1040 and Schedule 8812

If you file a paper return, you report the Child Tax Credit on Form 1040 (the main federal income tax form) and provide details on Schedule 8812. Schedule 8812 is where you list each child's name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship to you. You then transfer the total credit amount to Form 1040, line 24.

Paper filing takes longer to process than electronic filing — typically 21 days or more — and errors are caught more slowly. If your child's information does not match IRS records, the agency may contact you by mail weeks after you file, delaying your refund. For this reason, electronic filing through software or a preparer is generally faster and more reliable.

Working with a tax preparer or CPA

A tax preparer or certified public accountant (CPA) can claim the Child Tax Credit on your behalf. You provide them with your children's names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, along with your income and filing status. They enter the information on your return and file it electronically, which is faster than paper filing.

Tax preparers charge a fee for their services, typically $150 to $400 depending on the complexity of your return. If your income is below a certain threshold (which varies by state and year), you may find free tax preparation through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites or tax preparation nonprofits in your area. The IRS maintains a locator tool on its website to find free preparation near you.

Income limits and phase-out rules

The Child Tax Credit begins to reduce if your income exceeds a certain threshold. As of 2024, the phase-out begins at $400,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for single filers. For every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) your income exceeds the threshold, the credit reduces by $50. This means if you are a single filer with income of $201,000, your credit is $50 lower than the full amount.

The income limit is based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), which for most people is the same as your adjusted gross income (AGI) shown on your tax return. Tax software and preparers calculate this automatically. If your income is close to the phase-out threshold, the software will show you the reduced credit amount before you file.

What happens after you file

Once you submit your return, the IRS processes it and either applies the credit to any tax you owe or issues you a refund. If you file electronically, the IRS typically processes your return within 21 days. If you file on paper, processing takes longer.

If the IRS has questions about your children's information — for example, if a Social Security number does not match their records — the agency will contact you by mail. They may ask you to provide proof of the child's identity or relationship to you. Respond promptly to avoid delays in your refund or a reduction in your credit. Keep copies of your filed return and any documents the IRS sends you for at least three years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a tax return to claim the Child Tax Credit?

Yes. Even if your income is low enough that you would not normally owe federal income tax, you must file a return to claim the credit. This is one of the few situations where filing is required even with very low income, because the credit can result in a refund to you.

Can I claim the credit for a child who does not have a Social Security number?

No. The child must have a valid Social Security number. If your child was born in the United States but does not yet have a number, contact the Social Security Administration to apply. If your child is not a U.S. citizen and does not have a Social Security number, they do not may have access to for this credit, though other tax benefits may be available.

What if I share custody of a child with another parent?

Only one parent can claim the Child Tax Credit for each child per year. If you and the other parent share custody, you must decide who will claim the child, or follow a custody agreement that specifies this. The parent who claims the child must have had the child live with them for more than half the year. If you cannot agree, the IRS has tiebreaker rules based on who had the child for the longest period during the year.

What if the IRS rejects my claim for the credit?

The IRS may reject the credit if the child's Social Security number does not match their records, if the child does not meet the age or relationship requirements, or if your income exceeds the limit. The IRS will send you a notice explaining the reason. You can respond to the notice with documentation (like a birth certificate) or file an amended return if you made an error. A tax professional can help you respond.

Do I need to report the advance payments I received in 2024?

Yes. If you received monthly advance payments of the Child Tax Credit in 2024, you will report the total amount you received when you file your 2024 return in 2025. The software or preparer will ask you how much you received, and the IRS will reconcile that against the credit you are claiming. If you received more than you are may have access to to, you may owe the difference; if less, you will receive the remainder as a refund.