CREDIT
 
Why am I not getting the Child Tax Credit?

The Child Tax Credit is claimed on line 51 of your Form 1040 or line 33 of your Form 1040A.

  • The Child Tax Credit is a non-refundable credit. The regular Child Tax Credit allows you a tax credit of $1,000 per child up to a maximum of your tax liability. It can be used to reduce your tax to zero but the excess is not refunded.
  • Child 17 or over. Your child must be under the age of 17 at the end of 2005. If your child was 17 or older on 12/31/05 they do not qualify you for the credit.
  • Phased out due to high income. The credit is reduced or eliminated for taxpayers with high incomes. For those filing a joint return the phase-out of the credit begins at modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of $110,000 and it is completely phased out at $130,000. For single and head of household filers the phase out begins at $75,000 and is complete at $95,000. For those filing a married but separate return the phase out begins at $55,000 and is complete at $75,000.

You may be eligible for the additional Child Tax Credit. It allows you to claim a refund of the unused portion of the regular Child Tax Credit. The amount of the additional Child Tax Credit is the lesser of:

    1. The unused portion of the regular credit.
    2. 15% of the amount your AGI was over $10,750.
    3. Your Social Security and Medicare Withholding.

The additional Child Tax Credit is claimed on line 67 of your Form 1040 or line 42 of your Form 1040A. You can see the details of the calculation on form 8812.
Can I deduct the Child Tax Credit on my tax return?


A Child Tax Credit of $1,000 is available on your tax return for each qualifying child of a taxpayer under age 17. Qualifying children are a taxpayer's child, stepchild, grandchild, great grandchild or eligible foster child that the taxpayer claims as a dependent on his/her tax return. An adopted child qualifies for the Child Tax Credit on your tax return if placed with you by an authorized agency for legal adoption, even if the adoption is not final by the end of 2005. The total Child Tax Credit on your tax return is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 by which your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $110,000, if filing a joint tax return; $75,000 if filing a single tax return, head of household tax return, or qualifying widow(er) tax return; and $55,000 if married filing a separate tax return.

Can I deduct the Child Tax Credit on my tax return? How much child tax credit can I get?
A Child Tax Credit of $1,000 is available on your tax return for each qualifying child of a taxpayer under age 17.
Who are qualifying children? 

A qualifying child for purpose of the child tax credit is a child who: -

  • Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them.
  • Was under age 17 at the end of 2005.
  • Did not provide over half of his or her own support for 2005.
  • Lived with you for more than half of 2005.
  • Was a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. national , or a resident of the United States.