Tax Credit
A Tax Credit is a direct reduction of the tax owed, offering a dollar-for-dollar decrease in tax liability.
Types of Tax Credits:
Nonrefundable Credits: Reduce tax liability to zero but do not result in a refund if the credit exceeds the tax owed.
Refundable Credits: If the credit exceeds the tax owed, the excess is refunded to the taxpayer.
Partially Refundable Credits: A portion of the credit is refundable, while the remainder is nonrefundable.
Examples:
Child Tax Credit: Provides financial relief to taxpayers with dependent children.
Education Credits: Such as the American Opportunity Credit, assist with higher education expenses.