For the 2025 tax year (taxes filed in 2026), the federal Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17, an increase from $2,000 in 2024. Up to $1,700 of this credit is refundable (Additional Child Tax Credit) for lower-income families.
If you have a child, you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. For 2025, the credit is up to $2,200 per qualifying child.
The Additional Child Tax Credit allows you to receive up to $1,700 of the $2,200 CTC per child as a refund for 2025. To determine whether you're eligible to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit, fill out the Child Tax Credit Worksheet in the Form 1040 instructions.
Even if you are not otherwise required to file a tax return, you may still be entitled to an economic stimulus payment from the federal government. WHAT YOU COULD GET: You could receive a payment of $300 for individuals or $600 if you are married and file a joint tax return with your spouse.
Child Tax Credit (CTC): Up to $2,200 for each qualifying child. Credit for Other Dependents (ODC): $500 for each qualifying individual. Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC): The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) in 2025 is $1,700.
For the 2025 tax season (filing in early 2025), the IRS holds EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) refunds until mid-February due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, with most early EITC/ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit) returns seeing updated statuses by February 22 and refunds deposited by March 3, assuming direct deposit and no return errors; check the IRS's Where's My Refund tool for personalized updates, as the PATH Act pushes the release date, with February 17 being the earliest the hold lifts.
Most families will automatically start receiving the new monthly Child Tax Credit payments on July 15th. Families who normally aren't required to file an income tax return should use this Non-Filers Tool to register quickly for the expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan.
Yes, a significant new child tax credit bill, the "One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA)," was signed into law in July 2025, making major changes, including increasing the credit to up to $2,200 per child, adding work-eligibility requirements, and indexing the full credit amount to inflation starting in 2026 for future tax years, affecting returns filed in 2027 and beyond.
Starting July 15 and continuing through December 2021, the new federal Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan Act provides monthly benefits up to $250 per child between ages 6-17 and $300 per child under age 6.
The American Rescue Plan also authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit through December 2021. Beginning in July and running through December, qualifying families can get up to: $300 a month per child for children ages 0 to 5. $250 a month per child for children ages 6 to 17.
You may be eligible for a California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) up to $3,756 for tax year 2025 as a working family or individual earning up to $32,900 per year. You must claim the credit on the 2025 FTB 3514 form, California Earned Income Tax Credit, or if you e-file follow your software's instructions.
Is the IRS Sending $3,000 Refunds in June 2025? There is no IRS statement that says taxpayers will receive $3,000 payments specifically in June 2025. Any June refunds would apply only to those filing late, filing amended returns, or receiving delayed refunds due to verification issues.
The IRS will issue advance CTC payments: July 15, Aug. 13, Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov.
Increasing the maximum refundable credit amount.
This provision increases the maximum refundable amount per child to $1,800 in tax year 2023, $1,900 in tax year 2024, and $2,000 in tax year 2025. This is in addition to the inflation adjustment described below.
To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, you (or your spouse, if married filing jointly,) and each qualifying child must have a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States and issued before the due date of the tax return (including extensions).
For tax year 2025, the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) allows you to claim 20% to 35% of up to $3,000 in care expenses for one qualifying child or $6,000 for two or more, to help pay for care so you can work, with lower incomes getting a higher percentage (up to 35%), while some state-specific credits, like Nebraska's refundable credit for young kids, also exist. Recent federal law changes, effective for 2026, will further increase the maximum credit percentage for lower-income families.
Rumors of a universal $ 3000 check from the IRS have gained traction on social media, but these claims are not true. As of 2025, there is no federal program authorizing a new $ 3000 stimulus, rebate, or automatic payment to all Americans.
Yes, some refund checks will be issued in 2025, but the IRS is phasing out paper checks for individual taxpayers starting September 30, 2025, as mandated by an Executive Order, pushing most refunds to electronic delivery (direct deposit) for efficiency and security, so you'll need to provide bank info or risk delays for 2025 tax returns filed after that date.
The IRS Child Tax Credit (CTC) has seen recent increases, with the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026) bringing the maximum credit to $2,200 per child, up from $2,000, thanks to recent legislation, with the refundable portion (ACTC) at $1,700, also indexed for inflation. Key changes for 2025-2026 include the requirement for a Social Security Number (SSN) for both child and claimant, and the credit is partially refundable, not fully, as it was in the temporary 2021 expansion.
Here's a summary of key changes for the 2025 tax year. The seven federal tax brackets (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%) are now permanent. Standard deductions increased, plus a new “bonus” deduction for older adults. Child tax credit increased to $2,200 per qualifying child.
Your refund
The IRS expects most EITC refunds to be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3 if you chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return. Errors on your return will delay your refund.
Key takeaways
The CTC is worth up to $2,200 per child for the 2025 tax year. The refundable portion of the CTC, called the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), is $1,700. The CTC operates as a partially refundable tax credit, not as monthly payments as in some prior years.
Pensioners In the autumn, more than eight million pensioners who receive the winter fuel allowance will be paid a one off "pensioner cost of living" payment of £300.