What is the additional child tax credit and how do I get it?

Question

I know about the child tax credit but heard about an additional child tax credit that I may be elidgible for. What is it and what do I need to qualify? I have one child a 5 month old little boy if that helps.

Answer 1

If a person or couple's taxes aren't high enough to take the full $1000 child tax credit, then the rest of it might be able to be claimed as the "additional child tax credit" to total the full $1000. It's not additional money to the $1000.

If you don't get the full $1000 because you don't owe enough tax to take it, fill out form 8812 (can be downloaded at irs.gov) to see if you qualify for getting the rest of the $1000 through the additional child tax credit.