The child tax credit is a new credit that can reduce your tax. You may be able to take a credit on your tax return of up to $400 for each of your qualifying children.

This chapter gives you information about the credit. It explains:

• Who is a qualifying child?
• How much is the credit?
• How do I claim the credit?
• Why should I check my tax withholding?

The child tax credit is not the same as the credit for child and dependent care expenses. For information on the credit for child and dependent care expenses, see chapter 33.

If you have no tax. Credits, such as the child tax credit, the adoption credit, or the credit for child and dependent care expenses, are used to reduce tax. If the tax on line 40 (Form 1040) or line 25 (Form 1040A) is zero, do not figure the child tax credit unless you have three or more qualifying children. You will not qualify for the credit because you have no tax to be reduced.

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