This article is for information only and is not tax advice.
This article answers the question "Am I eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit?" It explains who counts as a qualifying child, how much the credit is, and which Social Security number (SSN) rules apply.
Am I eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit?
You can claim the Child Tax Credit only if you and your child meet every condition in this article. Certain residents of Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and India may be eligible. If you don't meet even one condition, you can't claim the credit.
Who is a qualifying child?
For the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit, a qualifying child is a child who meets each of the following conditions:
The child was under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
The child is your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, or a descendant of any of them, such as your grandchild, niece, or nephew.
The child is a US citizen, a US national, or a resident alien.
The child didn't provide more than half of their own support during the tax year.
The child lived with you for more than half of the tax year. Temporary absences, such as for school, vacation, or medical care, count as time lived in your home.
You claim the child as a dependent on your tax return.
The child doesn't file a joint return for the year.
How much is the Child Tax Credit?
For tax year 2026, the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 for each qualifying child. Up to $1,700 of that amount for each child is refundable. The refundable part is the Additional Child Tax Credit, and you need earned income of at least $2,500 to claim it.
You receive the full credit for each qualifying child if your annual income is $200,000 or less, or $400,000 or less on a joint return.
Which Social Security number do I need?
Beginning in the tax year, you must have a valid SSN. A valid SSN is valid for employment, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued it before the due date of your tax return, including extensions. If you file a joint return, your spouse must also have a valid SSN. Each qualifying child must have a valid SSN too. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) doesn't meet this requirement.
How do I know in Sprintax whether I'm eligible?
If you're eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit, Sprintax notifies you in Step 4 Offset your expenses.
If you claim the Child Tax Credit, Sprintax doesn't offer e-file for your federal tax return. You submit the federal return on paper.