How much is a tax refund with two children?
This version starts with a joint return, two children under 17, $120,000 in wages, and $9,000 withheld. Change the children field to compare.
Enter your wages to see your estimate.
Federal income tax for tax year 2026, the return you file in 2027.
How the result is reached
| Step | Amount |
|---|
What would change it
| If you had | Result | Change |
|---|
Each row changes one input and keeps the rest the same.
An estimate for tax year 2026, not tax advice
Your real refund depends on your full return, so use this to plan, not to file.Not modeled in this estimate
This tool covers W-2 wages and other taxable income on a federal return. It uses the standard deduction and leaves out:
- Credits other than the child tax credit: earned income credit, credit for other dependents, retirement savings, education, child and dependent care, and energy credits.
- Itemized deductions, the extra standard deduction at 65 or older or if blind, and the 2025 to 2028 deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest.
- Self-employment income and tax, rental income, Schedule K-1 income, taxable Social Security, and the qualified business income deduction.
- Alternative minimum tax and net investment income tax.
- State and local income tax. This is a federal estimate only.
If any of these apply to you, your refund can be higher or lower than shown.
Verified on October 8, 2026. Sources: IRS, Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments) (brackets, standard deductions, credit limits); 26 U.S.C. 24 (phase-out, refundable earned-income threshold); amounts from Rev. Proc. 2025-32 section 4.05 (child tax credit).
How to use it
- Pick your filing status: single, married filing jointly, head of household, or married filing separately.
- Enter your wages from W-2 box 1 and any other taxable income, such as interest or unemployment.
- Enter the federal tax withheld (W-2 box 2, all forms added together) and any estimated payments you made.
- Enter the number of children under 17 who have a Social Security number.
- Read your refund or balance owed, the steps that lead to it, and what would change it. Copy the result or a link.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the child tax credit for two children?
It is $4,400 for two children under 17 with Social Security numbers in tax year 2026, which is $2,200 each.
When does the child tax credit start to shrink?
It is reduced for income above $200,000, or above $400,000 on a joint return. The couple in this example is well below that.
Two children on a joint return
Each child under 17 with a Social Security number is worth a $2,200 credit, so two children bring $4,400. On $120,000 of wages the couple's tax before credits is $10,040 after the $32,200 standard deduction. The credit lowers it to $5,640, and with $9,000 withheld the estimate is a $3,360 refund.
Compared with no children and one child
With no children the same couple would owe $1,040. With one child the result is a $1,160 refund, and with two it is $3,360. The credit starts to shrink only above $400,000 of income on a joint return ($200,000 for other filers).
Updated on October 8, 2026