For 2025, the credit is up to $2,200 per qualifying child. To qualify, 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 the 2025 tax year, the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) increased to a maximum of $2,200 per qualifying child, up from $2,000, thanks to recent legislation, with the refundable portion (Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC) set at $1,700, and the credit remains partially refundable, not fully, phasing out at higher incomes. Key changes include requiring SSNs for both parents and children to claim the credit, indexing the credit for inflation starting in 2026, but it still doesn't fully reach lower-income families, impacting millions of children.
Child Tax Credit 2025 payments
In the 2025 tax year, the CTC will not be paid out in the form of payments. Instead, it's a tax benefit that can provide families with up to $2,200 in tax relief per qualifying child. If your tax is already $0, you could get up to $1,700 per qualifying child as a refund.
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.
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.
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. Taxpayers do not need to have earned income to be eligible however, you must otherwise meet CalEITC and YCTC requirements.
For the third stimulus check, any household member that has an SSN qualifies for a payment. This is different than the first and second stimulus check, where at least one tax filer must have an SSN for the household to claim the stimulus checks.
The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,200 for 2025. 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.
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.
Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act significantly affects federal taxes, credits and deductions. It was signed into law on July 4, 2025, as Public Law 119-21, and takes effect in 2025.
The New Law
Allows working parents to claim $3,000/$6,000 of their child care expenses. Families with the lowest incomes will now receive a maximum credit of 50% of their claimed child care expenses. That percentage gradually decreases as incomes rise.
For the 2025 tax year, the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) increased to a maximum of $2,200 per qualifying child, up from $2,000, thanks to recent legislation, with the refundable portion (Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC) set at $1,700, and the credit remains partially refundable, not fully, phasing out at higher incomes. Key changes include requiring SSNs for both parents and children to claim the credit, indexing the credit for inflation starting in 2026, but it still doesn't fully reach lower-income families, impacting millions of children.
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.
In 2025, for each qualifying child you can receive up to a $2,200 tax credit. Dependents qualifying for other dependent tax credit:*This entry is required.Enter an amount between 0 and 99 ?
The legislation will give single adults who reported adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less on their 2019 tax returns a one-time check for $1,200. Married couples who filed jointly will receive $2,400. Families will get an additional $500 for each child under 17.
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.
The $3,600 Child Tax Credit (CTC) was a temporary expansion for the 2021 tax year only, under the American Rescue Plan, for children under age 6, with $3,000 for ages 6-17, and was fully refundable, allowing low-income families to get the full benefit even with no income, requiring a valid SSN for both parents and kids. For current tax years (like 2025), the credit reverts to the pre-2021 rules (up to $2,000 per child, partially refundable) unless Congress acts, but you still need an SSN and must meet income and relationship tests, even if low-income families can get a portion.
While speculation about a fourth stimulus check has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
Stimulus payments
Single taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or below. Taxpayers filing as heads of household with AGIs of $112,500 or below. Married couples filing jointly with AGIs of $150,000 or below.