What is the new child tax credit beginning in 2018?

The credit doubles to $2,000 for each dependent under age 17, with up to $1,400 of the credit refundable to lower-income taxpayers.  The income phaseout thresholds are much higher…adjusted gross incomes over $400,000 for couples and $200,000 for all other filers. In the past, kids with individual tax ID numbers issued by IRS qualified for the credit.  Now, the child tax credit is allowed only for children with Social Security numbers.

*Kiplinger Tax Letter