$3,600 Tax Credit? Here’s Why It’s Gone and What You Get Now

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard about the $3,600 Child Tax Credit that helped millions of families a few years ago. But before you start counting on that money for this year’s tax return, there’s something you need to know: That larger credit is no longer available.

The expanded Child Tax Credit was a temporary boost under the American Rescue Plan in 2021, and it expired at the end of that year. For the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025), the Child Tax Credit has gone back to a maximum of $2,000 per child—and not every family will qualify for the full amount.

So, who gets it? And how much can you actually expect? Let’s break it down.

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit in 2025?

To claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC), you and your child must meet these requirements:

✅ Your child must be under 17 by the end of the tax year.
✅ They must be your dependent (this includes biological, adopted, and stepchildren, plus siblings, grandkids, nieces, and nephews).
✅ They must live with you for at least six months of the year.
✅ You must provide at least half of their financial support.
✅ They must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
✅ Your income must be within the limits (more on that next).

If you check all those boxes, you could qualify for up to $2,000 per child on your 2024 tax return.

How Much Can You Get?

For 2025, the Child Tax Credit provides:

• Up to $2,000 per child under age 17.
• Up to $1,600 per child is refundable—meaning even if you don’t owe any taxes, you could still get up to $1,600 per child back in your refund.
• The remaining $400 only applies if you owe taxes—it reduces what you owe but doesn’t increase your refund.

However, not everyone qualifies for the full amount—especially higher-income families.

Income Limits – Will You Get the Full Credit?

The full $2,000 per child is available if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is below:

• $400,000 for married couples filing jointly
• $200,000 for single filers or heads of household

If you make more than that, your credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 you earn over the limit.

For example:

• A married couple earning $420,000 will see their credit drop.
• A single parent earning $210,000 will also get a reduced amount.

If your income is significantly above the threshold, you might lose the credit completely.

What Happened to the $3,600 Child Tax Credit?

For one year only, in 2021, the Child Tax Credit was temporarily increased under the American Rescue Plan:

• $3,600 per child under 6
• $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17
• Paid out in monthly installments instead of a lump sum at tax time

But that was a one-time expansion—and when it ended, Congress did not renew it. In 2025, the credit is back to $2,000 per child, with only $1,600 refundable.

How to Claim the Child Tax Credit

When filing your taxes, here’s what you need to do to claim the credit:

• File a Form 1040 – This is your standard tax return.
• Attach Schedule 8812 – This form helps the IRS determine how much credit you qualify for and how much is refundable.
• Make sure your child has a valid Social Security Number – The IRS won’t approve the credit without it.

If you qualify for the refundable portion (up to $1,600 per child), it will be added to your refund.