Do you get a bigger tax return if you have kids?

Asked by: Junius Weber  |  Last update: December 18, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (37 votes)

For tax year 2024 (the taxes you file in 2025), the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17. You will be eligible for the full credit if your modified adjusted gross income is $400,000 or under for those who are married filing jointly and $200,000 or under for all other filers.

Does having a child increase your tax return?

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is the most well-known tax benefit of having a new baby. The CTC includes a $2,000 tax credit per child, only $1,700 of which is refundable. Even if your client's baby is born or adopted later in the year, they'll still qualify for the full $2,000 credit.

Do you get a bigger tax refund if you have dependents?

With the exception of how much is withheld the number of allowances on your paycheck has no effect on your tax return. The more allowances (dependents) the less withheld and the smaller your refund at the end of the year. However, you want the smallest refund possible.

How much of a tax return do you get when you have a kid?

Overview. The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides up to $1,154 per eligible tax return for tax year 2024. YCTC may provide you with cash back or reduce any tax you owe. California families qualify with earned income of $31,950 or less.

Do you get more money back if you have kids?

Yes, having more children affects the size of your tax refund. Each child gives you a Child Tax Credit that reduces your tax bill by up to $2000. At some income levels, the Earned Income Tax Credit is thousands more.

Tips to help parents receive a bigger tax return

35 related questions found

How to get a $10,000 tax refund?

CAEITC
  1. Be 18 or older or have a qualifying child.
  2. Have earned income of at least $1.00 and not more than $30,000.
  3. Have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for yourself, your spouse, and any qualifying children.
  4. Living in California for more than half of the tax year.

What tax break do you get for having a baby?

State Young Child Tax Credit:

The state Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides a dollar amount credit per eligible tax return. Families must have at least one qualifying child under 6 years old at the end of the tax year, must file a California state tax return, and meet the requirements of the CalEITC.

How do taxes change when you have a baby?

If you are married, having a child will not affect your filing status. But if you're not married, having a child may allow you to file as a head of household rather than using the single filing status. That would give you a bigger Standard Deduction and more advantageous tax brackets.

How much do I get back in taxes per child?

Child tax credit 2024

For 2024 (taxes filed in 2025), the child tax credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying dependent child. The refundable portion, also known as the additional child tax credit, is worth up to $1,700.

Do I get money for having a baby?

You can get Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for your child, depending on your circumstances and how much other income you have. You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you already get Working Tax Credit. If you cannot apply for Child Tax Credit, you can apply for Universal Credit instead.

How to get $7000 tax refund?

Who can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
  1. Have investment income of less than $11,600 in tax year 2024.
  2. Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2024 return.
  3. Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire year.
  4. Not file Form 2555 (foreign earned income)

Why do people with kids get so much back in taxes?

Raising children is expensive—recent reports show that the cost of raising a child is over $300,000 throughout the child's lifetime. The Child Tax Credit ( CTC ) can give you back money at tax time to help with those costs.

Do you get more money if you claim 2 dependents?

The more dependents a taxpayer claims on their W-4 form, the less tax will be withheld from their paychecks, and the higher their paychecks will be. Claiming fewer allowances on their W-4 form will result in more tax being withheld from their paychecks and a lowered income with each payment.

Do you pay more taxes if you have kids?

Families With Children Often Pay Less In Taxes Than Their Childless Peers, But Policymakers Could do More.

Do you get more taxes back if you have dependents?

Key Takeaways. The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000. The Credit for Other Dependents is worth up to $500. The IRS defines a dependent as a qualifying child (under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled) or a qualifying relative.

Can I claim my girlfriend as a dependent?

Your significant other earned less than $5,050 for 2024.

According to the IRS dependent rules, your boyfriend or girlfriend must have earned less than $5,050 for the 2024 tax year if you want to claim them as a dependent.

How much does a single mom get back on taxes?

Child Tax Credit:

The Child Tax Credit is a valuable tax benefit for single parents. For the tax year 2024, this credit is up to $3,000 per qualifying child between the ages of 6 and 17, and up to $3,600 for children under 6.

How much refund do you get for a child?

The child tax credit provides a credit of up to $2,000 per child under age 17. If the credit exceeds taxes owed, families may receive up to $1,600 per child as a refund. Other dependents—including children ages 17–18 and full-time college students ages 19–24—can receive a nonrefundable credit of up to $500 each.

Why is my Child Tax Credit only $500?

The maximum credit amount is $500 for each qualifying person. The credit begins to decrease in value if your adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 ($400,000 for married filing jointly).

How much do you get on tax return for having a baby?

Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Utah and Vermont established a fixed limit for the tax credit ranging from $25 to $3,200 per qualifying child. Eligibility requirements differ among states' child tax credits.

Should the parent with higher income claim the child?

If a child lived with each parent the same amount of time during the year, the IRS allows the parent with the higher adjusted gross income (AGI) to claim the child.

How much does having a child save you on taxes?

The Child Tax Credit can reduce your taxes by up to $2,000 per qualifying child aged 16 or younger. If you do not owe taxes, up to $1,700 of the Child Tax Credit may be refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit for 2024.

How do my taxes change when I have a kid?

The child tax credit provides up to $2,000 in federal tax credits for each qualifying child you claim on your tax return. To qualify for the full $2,000 credit, your annual income must be $200,000 or less ($400,000 if married filing jointly).

How much do dependents reduce taxes?

Dependents – If you can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer, your standard deduction for 2024 is limited to the greater of: (1) $1,300, or (2) your earned income plus $450 (but the total can't be more than the basic standard deduction for your filing status).

Should I change my W-4 when I have a baby?

But if you landed a new job or had a major life milestone (a new baby, marriage, or employer), it's a smart idea to revisit the federal tax withholding on your Form W-4.