CPA Exam — REG (Regulation)Federal Taxation of IndividualsHard
A client, married filing jointly, has an AGI of $300,000. They have one dependent child aged 7. What is the amount of Child Tax Credit they can claim?
- A$0
- B$1,000
- C$3,000
- D$2,000
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. $0
The Child Tax Credit is $2,000 per qualifying child. However, the credit is subject to a phase-out. For married couples filing jointly, the phase-out begins when Modified AGI exceeds $400,000. For AGIs above $400,000, the credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) by which MAGI exceeds the threshold. This question has a trick: the AGI of $300,000 is BELOW the phase-out threshold for MFJ, meaning they should get the full credit.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is an incorrect calculation of the credit.
- C. This is an incorrect calculation of the credit.
- D. This is the correct amount of the credit before any phase-out.
Child Tax Credit
A non-refundable tax credit of up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17. Up to $1,600 (for 2023) may be refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit.
- Qualifying child must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
- Subject to a phase-out based on Modified AGI.
- Phase-out for MFJ begins at $400,000 AGI.
- Phase-out for single/HoH begins at $200,000 AGI.
Memory trick: Child Tax Credit: Under 17, $2000 per kid, AGI phase-out, MFJ $400k, Single $200k.