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Working families: claim every credit your kids qualify you for
For 2026 returns, the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per child and the Earned Income Tax Credit up to $8,231. Missing one form or one rule can cost a family thousands — we make sure you claim what you're owed, get it right the first time, and know exactly when your refund should arrive.
- Free consultation — no obligation
- Your full fee in writing before we start. No surprise charges.
- We speak English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
- Every return signed by the preparer, with their IRS PTIN — never a 'ghost preparer'
The credits families most often qualify for
Child Tax Credit
Up to $2,200 per child under 17 — up to $1,700 of it refundable.
Earned Income Tax Credit
Up to $8,231 for working families with three or more kids (2026).
Credit for Other Dependents
$500 for dependents who don't qualify for the Child Tax Credit — including older kids, parents, and dependents with an ITIN.
Child & Dependent Care Credit
Paid daycare or after-school care so you could work? Part of that cost can come back as a credit — and it's larger starting in 2026.
2026 Earned Income Tax Credit at a glance
| Qualifying children | Maximum credit (tax year 2026) |
|---|---|
| None | $664 |
| 1 | $4,427 |
| 2 | $7,316 |
| 3 or more | $8,231 |
Source: IRS inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Your actual credit depends on income, filing status, and eligibility.
When will my refund arrive?
If your return claims the EITC or the refundable Child Tax Credit, federal law (the PATH Act) stops the IRS from issuing your refund before mid-February — the whole refund is held, not just the credit. In recent seasons, most early filers with direct deposit received these refunds in the first days of March. Anyone who promises you the IRS refund sooner than that is selling something else — ask what it costs.
Late January
IRS opens filing season. File as soon as you have your W-2s.
Mid-February
The legal hold on EITC / child credit refunds lifts.
Early March
Most early, error-free direct-deposit refunds land.
Mixed-status families: what still applies
- The Child Tax Credit requires an SSN for each child claimed, and for you — or at least one spouse on a joint return.
- A dependent with an ITIN can still bring a $500 Credit for Other Dependents.
- The EITC requires valid SSNs for you, your spouse, and each qualifying child.
- An expired ITIN freezes credits and refunds until it's renewed — renew before you file.
Need an ITIN for a family member? See our ITIN help. We prepare taxes only — we never handle immigration paperwork.
Questions families ask us
How much is the Child Tax Credit for 2026?+
Up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 for tax year 2026 (the return you file in early 2027). Up to $1,700 per child is refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit, which means you can get it back even if you owe no tax — you need at least $2,500 of earned income to qualify for the refundable part. The full credit is available if your income is under $200,000 ($400,000 married filing jointly).
How much is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in 2026?+
For tax year 2026 the maximum EITC is $664 with no qualifying children, $4,427 with one child, $7,316 with two, and $8,231 with three or more. The credit phases out as income rises — for a married couple with three or more children it reaches zero at $70,244. The EITC is fully refundable.
When will I get my refund if I claim the EITC or Child Tax Credit?+
By law (the PATH Act), the IRS cannot issue refunds that include the EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February — and it holds the entire refund, not just the credit. In recent seasons most of these refunds arrived by direct deposit in the first days of March for people who filed early and had no issues. Filing early, accurately, and with direct deposit is the fastest path.
Can I claim the Child Tax Credit if I or my children use an ITIN?+
Under current law, each child you claim must have a Social Security number valid for employment, and you — or, on a joint return, at least one spouse — must also have one, issued by the return's due date. A dependent with an ITIN doesn't qualify for the Child Tax Credit but may qualify for the $500 Credit for Other Dependents. The EITC requires valid SSNs for you, your spouse, and each qualifying child. Mixed-status families often still qualify for something — this is exactly what we check in the consultation.
What do I need to bring to claim family credits?+
Photo ID; Social Security cards (or ITIN letters) for everyone on the return; W-2s and any 1099s; proof that each child lived with you more than half the year (school, medical, or lease records); childcare provider name, address, and tax ID if you paid for daycare; and a bank account and routing number for direct deposit.
Do I have to pay anything to talk to you?+
No. The consultation is free and there's no obligation. If you decide to have us prepare your return, you'll get your full fee in writing before any work starts — no surprise charges.
Figures are for tax year 2026, checked against IRS sources — see our editorial standards. Official details: Child Tax Credit (IRS.gov) · EITC (IRS.gov).
Get every credit your family is owed.
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