Summary
Starting in 2026, families will see changes to the Child Tax Credit when they file taxes due to a recent law. This new law keeps the increased credit amount and sets rules for who qualifies, including certain requirements for Social Security numbers.
Key Facts
- The Child Tax Credit amount will be $2,200 for tax year 2025, filed in 2026.
- The credit increase from $1,000 to $2,000 per child was initially temporary but is now permanent due to new legislation.
- A portion of the credit, $1,700, is refundable, meaning families can get money back if it's more than their tax bill.
- Children must have a Social Security number to be claimed for the credit.
- Eligibility requires the child to be a dependent, such as a son or daughter, and meet certain age and living condition rules.
- About 90% of families received the credit in 2025, with an average benefit higher than the per-child maximum due to multiple qualifying children.
- Tax refunds involving the Child Tax Credit may take longer to process due to fraud prevention efforts.
- Federal tax returns for 2025 must be filed by April 15, 2026.
