Claiming family tax credits is a must if you're eligible. Not only can family tax breaks lower your tax liability, but they might increase your refund.
However, which credits you qualify for can change from year to year. The amounts of the credits can also change, since many are adjusted yearly for inflation.
While you might already know about the child tax credit and other family tax breaks for the previous year, here's what you can expect for the 2026 tax year (for income tax returns normally filed in early 2027). Read on.
1. Child Tax Credit 2026
President Donald Trump's 2025 tax and spending megabill, sometimes referred to as the "big beautiful bill (BBB), raised the federal child tax credit from $2,000 to $2,200 per qualifying child. That higher amount applies for 2026 taxes.
- The maximum refundable portion is worth $1,700 for 2026. That’s the same amount you could claim for 2025 tax returns.
- But there's one caveat: To claim the CTC, both the child and the taxpayer (parent or guardian) must now have Social Security numbers.
For more information about the current child tax credit, see Who Qualifies For The Child Tax Credit?
Note: Don't forget about state child tax credits. Currently, 15 states plus the District of Columbia provide their version of the child tax credit. Check out your state's Department of Revenue website to see if one might be available to you.
2. Higher adoption tax credit in 2026
The federal adoption tax credit for the 2026 tax year (taxes generally filed in 2027) is worth up to $17,670 (up from $17,280 from last year).
The adoption credit might be used for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt a child and as an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance. However, you can't use the same qualifying expenses for both the credit and the exclusion.
The amount you can claim will also depend on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
- For 2026, the credit phase-out begins at $265,080 and phases out completely at $305,080 or above.
- Additionally, there are a few limitations, including a special needs exception.
Trump's megabill also enhanced the adoption tax credit by making it partially refundable and allowing parents to claim up to $5,000 in credits.
For more information, see Kiplinger's report: Adoption Tax Credit: Do I Qualify?
3. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2026
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that's available to people with earned income below a certain threshold.
How much you get will depend on your filing status, the number of qualifying children in your household, and your earned income.
- For 2026, the credit is worth up to $8,231 (up from $8,046 for 2025) with three qualifying children
- For those with two qualifying children, the credit is worth up to $7,316 (up from $7,152 from last year).
- If you have one qualifying child, the credit is worth up to $4,427 for 2026 taxes.
- Those with no qualifying children can get up to $664 (up from $649 in 2025).
Additionally, for taxable years beginning in 2026, you won't be eligible for the EITC if your investment income exceeds $12,200.
Here are the income phaseout amounts for claiming the EITC for tax year 2026.
Number of children or relatives claimed |
Married, filing jointly phase-in amount |
Married, filing jointly phase-out amount |
Earned income amount |
Maximum amount of credit |
Zero |
$18,140 |
$26,820 |
$8,680 |
$664 |
One |
$31,160 |
$58,863 |
$13,020 |
$4,427 |
Two |
$31,160 |
$65,899 |
$18,290 |
$7,316 |
Three or more |
$31,160 |
$70,224 |
$18,290 |
$8,231 |
Number of children or relatives claimed |
All other filers phase-in amount |
All other filers phase-out amount |
Earned income amount |
Maximum amount of credit |
Zero |
$10,860 |
$19,540 |
$8,680 |
$664 |
One |
$23,890 |
$51,593 |
$13,020 |
$4,427 |
Two |
$23,890 |
$58,629 |
$18,290 |
$7,316 |
Three or more |
$23,890 |
$62,974 |
$18,290 |
$8,231 |
For more information about the EITC amounts for the upcoming tax filing season, see our report: Earned Income Tax Credit: What You Need to Know.
You might also be eligible for an earned income credit on your state tax return.
Several states, the District of Columbia, and New York City offer versions of the earned income credit. Check your state's and/or municipality's Department of Revenue website(s) for more information.
