child tax credit - is it considered a type of federal refund or just a credit?

I assume for simplicity that the only credit you have is the Child Tax Credit.

If you have a dependent child under 17, you may qualify for the Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit is a reduction of taxes owed up to $1,000. If you owe more than $1,000 in taxes, all of the Child Tax Credit is used to reduce the taxes you owe.

But if you owe less than $1,000, not all of the of the Child Tax Credit is used. Part or all of the remaining amount not used may be paid to you, depending on your income. This amount is called the Additional Child Tax Credit and is part of your refund.

Hint, this credit is classified as a "non-refundable credit" by the IRS.

The "additional child tax credit" does not mean 1 vs 2 children.

The credit is up to $1000 per child. If your tax bill is already zero (or close to it), the additional child tax credit (which *is* refundable) may get you some of the $1000 on a different section of the tax return.

It's a credit. The ADDITIONAL child tax credit is a refundable credit.

Edit with your new info: You don't GET child tax credit money, it just reduces the tax you owe. What you GOT was a refund of what you paid in, or else EIC money, and yes the trustee should have taken that.

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It's a credit that reduces your tax liability dollar-for-dollar, however it is non-refundable so it cannot reduce your tax to less than $0. You can claim the CTC for any qualifying child listed on your tax return who is UNDER age 17 as of the end of the tax year.