Feb 2025 $3,600 Child Tax Credit – What Families Need to Know

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a vital financial support system for families across the United States, helping ease the financial burden of raising children. In February 2025, many parents are wondering whether the expanded $3,600 CTC—which was temporarily available in 2021—will return. Currently, the credit remains at $2,000 per qualifying child, with up to $1,700 refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

Understanding eligibility requirements, refund timelines, and legislative updates is key to maximizing this tax benefit.

Current Child Tax Credit Amounts in 2025

As of 2025, the CTC provides the following benefits:

• Maximum CTC per child: $2,000 for children under 17 years old.
• Refundable portion: Up to $1,700 through the ACTC.
• Income phase-out limits:
• Single filers: Phase-out begins at $200,000.
• Married couples filing jointly: Phase-out begins at $400,000.

CTC Amounts Over the Years

Year	Maximum CTC Per Child	Refundable Portion	Age Limit
2017 and Earlier	$1,000	$1,000	Under 17
2018 – 2020	$2,000	$1,400	Under 17
2021 (Temporary Expansion)	$3,600 (under 6) / $3,000 (6-17)	Fully Refundable	Under 18
2022 – 2025	$2,000	$1,700	Under 17

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit?

To receive the CTC, families must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Child’s Age

• The child must be under 17 years old at the end of the tax year.

2. Relationship to the Taxpayer

• The child must be the son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant (e.g., grandchild, niece, or nephew) of the taxpayer.

3. Citizenship Requirements

• The child must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien.

4. Residency Requirement

• The child must have lived with the taxpayer for more than half of the tax year.

5. Financial Support

• The child must not have provided more than half of their own support during the tax year.

6. Income Limits for Eligibility

• The CTC begins to phase out for those with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) above:
• $200,000 for single filers
• $400,000 for married couples filing jointly

How to Claim the Feb 2025 $3,600 Child Tax Credit

If eligible, follow these steps to claim the Child Tax Credit on your tax return:

1. File a Federal Tax Return

• Use Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.

1. Complete Schedule 8812

• This form calculates the credit amount and refundable portion.

1. Provide Necessary Documentation

• Ensure all Social Security numbers and dependent information are accurate.

Refund Timeline & Processing

Refunds for the Child Tax Credit typically follow this timeline:

• Filed electronically with direct deposit: Refunds issued within 21 days.
• Filed via paper return: Processing can take six weeks or longer.
• Early filers (before mid-February): Refunds may be delayed due to IRS verification.

What If Your CTC Claim Is Denied?

If your CTC claim is denied, take the following steps:

1. Review the IRS Notice

• The IRS will provide an explanation for the denial.

1. Correct Any Errors

• Ensure dependent information and Social Security numbers are correct.

1. File an Appeal

• If you believe the denial was incorrect, appeal the decision through the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

1. Contact the IRS

• For assistance, call 1-800-829-1040.

State-Level Child Tax Credit Programs

Some states offer additional Child Tax Credits beyond the federal program. Examples include:

1. California – Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC)

• Provides up to $1,000 for families earning under $30,000.

2. New York – Empire State Child Credit

• Offers a refundable credit for children aged 4-17.

3. Colorado – Refundable Child Tax Credit

• Available for low-income families with children under 6 years old.

Check with your state’s Department of Revenue for updated eligibility and benefit amounts.

Potential Legislative Changes to the Child Tax Credit

While the $3,600 CTC was temporarily available in 2021, lawmakers continue discussing potential expansions. Some key proposals include:

• Making the expanded $3,600 credit permanent.
• Increasing the refundable portion to provide full refunds to lower-income families.
• Adjusting the age eligibility to cover children under 18.

For official updates, visit the IRS Child Tax Credit page at IRS.gov.