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Claim the Child Tax Credit on your federal tax return: up to $2,200 for each child under 17

  • Top value
  • Evidence A
  • Saves money
  • Free
  • Takes minutes
  • No willpower

In plain words

The main federal child benefit in the U.S. is the Child Tax Credit, claimed on your tax return. For the 2025 tax year it is worth up to $2,200 for each child under 17. If you owe little or no income tax, you may still get up to $1,700 per child back as a refund, as long as you earned at least $2,500. You and each child need a Social Security number valid for work. For help paying for child care, ask your state's TANF office.

Cost

Free. It's claimed on your yearly federal tax return; free tax help is available from the IRS.

What you get

IRS: "The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child." For the 2025 tax year the child generally must "Be under 17 at the end of the tax year." You (and your spouse if 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." The refundable part, the Additional Child Tax Credit, is "up to $1,700 per qualifying child depending on your income", and "You must have earned income of at least $2,500 to be eligible". You get the full amount if your income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing jointly). For dependents who don't qualify, the Credit for Other Dependents is up to $500 each. For child care, USA.gov says TANF "helps families pay for: Food, Housing, Home energy, Child care".

Notes

The amounts are for the 2025 tax year, from the IRS page last updated 21 September 2026. They can change by law, so check the IRS page for the year you're filing. Your state may offer its own help for families, so check your state's website too.

Evidence grade
A: Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.
Sources
  1. Internal Revenue Service. Child Tax Credit. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-tax-credit
  2. USA.gov. Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). https://www.usa.gov/welfare-benefits

Sources checked 2026-10-12

Replaces in the original

Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you.