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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →For tax year 2025 returns filed in 2026, a family with two qualifying children may be eligible for up to $3,400 in the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). That is a maximum, not a guaranteed IRS payment or total refund: the amount depends on eligibility and earned income. Claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and ACTC on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, using Schedule 8812 to calculate the credit.
What the $3,400 figure means
The 2025 CTC is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child. For eligible taxpayers, up to $1,700 per child may be refundable as the ACTC. With two qualifying children, that makes the ACTC maximum $3,400. The IRS sets out the 2025 rules in its Schedule 8812 instructions.
The CTC and ACTC are related but not interchangeable. The CTC can reduce the federal income tax you owe; the ACTC is the refundable portion available to certain taxpayers when the CTC exceeds their tax liability. As the IRS explains, “The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a non-refundable credit that allows people with a qualifying child to reduce their tax liability,” while “The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) allows certain taxpayers who are eligible for the CTC to receive a refund if the CTC is more than their tax liability.” See the IRS’s Child Tax Credit guidance.
The $3,400 maximum is not the amount every family receives, and it is not a prediction of the household’s total refund. Your actual result depends on the applicable rules and calculation on your return.
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Who may qualify for the CTC and ACTC
Qualifying children
A child generally must be under age 17 at the end of 2025 and meet IRS qualifying-child requirements, including rules about relationship, residency, and dependency. Check the IRS Child Tax Credit eligibility guidance for your circumstances.
Social Security number requirements
For tax year 2025, a qualifying child must have a valid Social Security number for employment issued by the return due date, including extensions. On a joint return, one spouse must have a valid SSN; the other spouse must have an SSN or ITIN issued by the due date. Individual circumstances can affect eligibility, so use the IRS rules rather than assuming a household qualifies based only on the number of children.
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Income and the refundable amount
Income can affect both eligibility for the full CTC and the ACTC calculation. The IRS says full CTC eligibility is generally available up to $200,000 in annual income, or $400,000 for married couples filing jointly; a partial credit may be available above those levels. The ACTC’s $1,700-per-child limit is a ceiling, not an automatic amount. The IRS Schedule 8812 instructions explain how to calculate the credit.
The EITC is a separate credit
Some families with two qualifying children may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It has separate eligibility and calculation rules. For tax year 2025, the IRS lists a maximum EITC of $7,152 for taxpayers with two qualifying children. The income limit is $57,310 for most filing statuses or $64,430 for married filing jointly; the investment-income limit is $11,950. These are 2025 eligibility ceilings and maximums, not amounts every eligible household receives. The credit depends on income, filing status, and qualifying-child facts. See the IRS’s 2025 EITC income and credit tables.
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A household might qualify for both the ACTC and EITC, but their maximums should not be added and presented as a promised combined refund. Each credit has its own rules and calculation. To claim the EITC, file Form 1040 or 1040-SR; if you claim it with a qualifying child, attach Schedule EIC with the child’s information. The IRS explains how to claim the EITC.
How to claim the credits on your return
- Check the children’s eligibility. Review the qualifying-child rules for each credit and the 2025 tax year.
- Check the other requirements. Confirm your income, filing status, Social Security number or ITIN details, and—if you are considering the EITC—the investment-income limit.
- File Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Use Schedule 8812 to calculate the CTC and ACTC.
- Attach Schedule EIC if needed. If you claim the EITC with a qualifying child, include Schedule EIC with the required child information.
- Estimate your own result with IRS tools. The IRS Interactive Tax Assistant and Child Tax Credit guidance can help you assess eligibility; follow the credit instructions for your individual calculation.
The IRS recommends filing online and choosing direct deposit to receive a refund faster. Eligible taxpayers can also use free tax preparation and IRS-certified volunteer assistance.
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When a refund with ACTC or EITC may arrive
The IRS cannot issue a refund before mid-February for a return claiming the ACTC or EITC. This delay applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with either credit. The 2025 Schedule 8812 instructions specifically refer to mid-February 2026 for ACTC returns.
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