Non-refundable credits can reduce your income tax liability (the amount of income tax you must pay for the year); however, it can only reduce your income tax liability to zero $0.  (For example, if you have an income tax liability of $2,254, then the most non-refundable credit you can get is $2,254.  You could get less or no credit, but you can't get more than $2,254).
Examples of Non-Refundable Credits:

• Child Tax Credit 
• Credit for Other Dependents,
• Child Care Credit (only in TY2021 was a refundable credit),
• Education credit (Lifetime and non-refundable American Opportunity)
• Retirement Savings Credit
• Credit for Elderly & Disabled
• Residential energy credits
• Foreign Tax Credit
• and more

---

Child Tax Credit:   

• is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child.
  • If the tax liability is LESS than the child tax credit, the remainder becomes a Refundable-Credit (up to $1,400 per qualifying child)