My kids are showing up as dependents $500 and not child tax credit $2,000. Do you know why?

The Child Tax Credit is based on the amount of tax that you owe. If the credit exceeds your tax liability, you may be getting the Additional Child tax credit.

The maximum tax credit per qualifying child is $2,000.  This will offset any taxes you may owe.

To post the Child Tax Credit

1. Log into TurboTax
2. Deductions & Credits
3. Let's check for child and other dependents credits [Continue]
4. Do these uncommon situations apply?
5. You will probably choose [] None of these apply
6. You will get a statement if you qualify or not.

If you don’t owe any taxes, you still may qualify for the additional child tax credit.  This can be up to $1,700 per qualifying child.

Who can get the credit

You can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child

• Who has a Social Security number and
• That is valid for employment in the United States.

To be a qualifying child for the 2024 tax year, your dependent generally must:

• Be under 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew).
• Not provide more than half of his or her own support for the tax year.
• Have lived with you for more than half the tax year.
• Be claimed as a dependent on your return.
• Not file a joint return for the year (or filed the joint return only to claim a refund of taxes withheld or estimated taxes).
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or a U.S. resident alien.
• Must have a Social Security Number that is valid for employment and is issued before the due date of your tax return (including extensions).

You qualify for the full amount of the 2024 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit

You can preview your tax return by going to:

1. On the menu bar on the left that shows.
2. Select Tax Tools
3. On the drop-down select Tools
   1. Tip: If you don't see the dropdown for Tools,
   2. Minimize the federal and state options using the down arrow.
4. On the popup menu
5. Select View Tax Summary
6. On the left sidebar
7. Select Preview my 1040.
8. Schedules 1,2 & 3 are included if you scroll down past your 1040.
9. To return to the entry screens press Back on the sidebar.

Some key numbers on your 1040 tax return are:

Line 9 - Total Income

Line 11 - AGI

Line 15 - Taxable Income

Line 19 - Child Tax Credit

Line 24 - Total Tax.

Line 25 d - Withholdings.

Line 26 - Estimated tax payments

Line 27 - Earned Income Credit

Line 28 - Additional Child Credit

Line 33 - Payments including Credits.

Line 34 - Overpayments.

Line 37 - Tax owed.

Children over 16 only qualify for the $500 "Other dependent" Credit, not the Child Tax Credit.