What is a Refundable Credit?

A refundable credit is a type of tax credit that not only reduces the amount of tax owed but also can result in a refund if the credit exceeds the tax liability. This means that if a taxpayer qualifies for a refundable credit and the amount of the credit is greater than the taxes they owe, the IRS will send the difference back as a refund. This characteristic is what distinguishes refundable credits from non-refundable credits, which only reduce tax liability to zero but do not result in a refund if they exceed the tax owed.

In this case, the chosen answer accurately captures the essence of what a refundable credit is, emphasizing its capacity to lead to a refund in specific situations where tax liability is lower than the total credit available.