Child Tax Credit Calculator
Estimate your Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) for the 2026 tax year. This calculator helps determine potential tax savings for families with children.
Key Features
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) estimation
- Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) estimation
- Income-based phase-out calculations
- Real-time calculation with instant results
Calculator Inputs
Calculation Results
About This Calculator
This calculator estimates two important tax credits for families with children: the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC). Both credits can significantly reduce your tax liability and may result in a refund.
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit available to taxpayers with qualifying children under the age of 18. The credit amount depends on the child's age and the taxpayer's income.
2026 CTC Amounts
- Children under 6: Up to $3,600 per child
- Children ages 6-17: Up to $3,000 per child
Income Phase-Outs
The CTC begins to phase out at the following income levels:
- Married Filing Jointly: $400,000
- Single/Head of Household: $200,000
- Married Filing Separately: $200,000
The credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 (or portion thereof) over the threshold.
Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC)
The CDCC helps working parents cover the cost of childcare. It's a percentage of qualifying expenses, up to certain limits.
2026 CDCC Details
- Maximum qualifying expenses: $8,000 for one child, $16,000 for two or more children
- Credit rate: 20% - 35% depending on income
- Maximum credit: $2,800 for one child, $5,600 for two or more children
Income Phase-Out
The CDCC rate decreases as income increases:
- 35% rate: Income up to $15,000
- Gradual reduction: Rate decreases by 1 percentage point for each $2,000 of income over $15,000
- 20% rate: Income over $43,000
Eligibility Requirements
Child Tax Credit
- Child must be under age 18 at the end of the tax year
- Child must be a US citizen, national, or resident alien
- Child must have lived with you for more than half the year
- Child must be claimed as a dependent on your tax return
Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Expenses must be for care of a child under age 13
- Both parents must work (or be looking for work)
- Care provider cannot be your spouse or the child's parent
- Expenses must allow you to work or look for work