Child Tax Credit 2025: how much it is and who qualifies

How much the credit is for 2025

• Up to $2,200 for each qualifying child.
• Up to $1,700 per child can be refundable (the Additional Child Tax Credit): you get it as a refund even if you don't owe tax. To get it, you need earned income of more than $2,500.
• $500 for each other dependent who doesn't qualify for the child credit, for example a child who is 17 or older, or a parent you support (the Credit for Other Dependents).

Who counts as a qualifying child

• Is under age 17 at the end of 2025.
• Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, half-brother, or half-sister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew).
• Lived with you for more than half the year, and you claim them as a dependent.
• Has a Social Security number valid for work, issued before the due date of the return.

New for 2025: you need a Social Security number too

Starting in 2025, in addition to the child, you must have a Social Security number valid for work. If you file jointly, only one spouse needs to have one. If neither of you has one, for example if you both file with an ITIN, you can't get the Child Tax Credit, but you can get the $500 Credit for Other Dependents.

Higher incomes: the credit is reduced

The credit starts to phase out when your adjusted gross income is over $200,000, or $400,000 if you file jointly. It's reduced by $50 for each $1,000 (or part of $1,000) above that limit.

How to claim it

You claim the credit on Schedule 8812, filed with your Form 1040. With Vordana Tax, you answer simple questions about your children, and the software works out who qualifies, figures the credit and the refundable part, and prepares Schedule 8812 for you.

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