CTC vs EITC — Can You Claim Both Credits?
Two of the largest tax credits for families — and yes, you can claim both on the same return. The Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit are calculated independently, and qualifying for one doesn't disqualify you from the other.
Estimate your combined credits with the Child Tax Credit Calculator and EITC Calculator.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Child Tax Credit (CTC) | Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) |
|---|---|---|
| Max amount | $2,000/child | $7,830 (3+ children) |
| Refundable? | Partially ($1,700 ACTC) | Fully refundable |
| Income limit (MFJ, 2 kids) | Phase-out at $400,000 | Phase-out at ~$55,768 |
| Children required? | Yes (under 17) | No (but higher with children) |
| Earned income required? | No | Yes |
| Investment income limit | None | $11,600 |
The EITC has much tighter income limits. The CTC is available to a broader income range. Where they overlap — working families earning under ~$55,000 — the combined benefit is significant.
Combined Benefits by Income
Here's what a married couple filing jointly with 2 qualifying children (both under 17) could receive:
| Earned Income | CTC | EITC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $4,000 (mostly ACTC) | $3,200 | $7,200 |
| $25,000 | $4,000 | $6,164 | $10,164 |
| $35,000 | $4,000 | $5,500 | $9,500 |
| $50,000 | $4,000 | $2,100 | $6,100 |
| $60,000 | $4,000 | $0 | $4,000 |
| $200,000 | $4,000 | $0 | $4,000 |
| $420,000 | $3,000 | $0 | $3,000 |
At $25,000 income, the combined credits exceed $10,000 — that's more than the family paid in federal taxes, meaning they get a large refund.
Key Differences That Matter
Income direction:
- CTC phases out at high incomes ($200K-$400K+)
- EITC phases out at moderate incomes ($20K-$63K)
This means middle-class families (say, $80K income) get the full CTC but no EITC. Lower-income families get both.
Earned income requirement:
- CTC doesn't require earned income (but the refundable ACTC does)
- EITC requires earned income — no wages, no credit
If you're retired with only Social Security and pension income, you might get the CTC for grandchildren you're raising, but you won't qualify for the EITC.
Investment income:
- CTC has no investment income limit
- EITC cuts off at $11,600 in investment income
A family with $8,000 in dividend income and $30,000 in wages qualifies for both. Push that dividend income to $12,000, and the EITC disappears entirely.
Who Gets the Biggest Combined Benefit?
The sweet spot: Married couples earning $20,000-$30,000 with 2-3 children. At this income range:
- Full CTC ($2,000/child) with most of it refundable via ACTC
- Peak or near-peak EITC ($6,000-$7,800)
- Combined: $10,000-$14,000+ in refundable credits
This often exceeds their total federal tax withholding, creating a substantial refund.
How to Claim Both
Both credits are claimed on your regular 1040:
- CTC → Schedule 8812
- EITC → Schedule EIC
Tax software handles this automatically. Just make sure you:
- Enter all qualifying children with correct SSNs and birth dates
- Report all earned income (W-2s and self-employment)
- Report investment income accurately (EITC has the $11,600 cap)
Refund timing: Returns claiming EITC or ACTC cannot receive refunds before mid-February by law (PATH Act). File early, but expect the refund in late February to early March.
See your full tax picture with the Federal Tax Calculator.
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