3,600 Child Tax Credit in 2025? Here’s the Truth No One’s Telling You

If you’ve seen articles or TikToks talking about a $3,600 Child Tax Credit in 2025, you’re probably wondering if you’re missing out. It sounds amazing, right? But here’s the truth: that number isn’t real for this year. It’s old news being passed around as if it’s current.

Let’s walk through what’s actually happening in 2025—what’s still available, who can get it, and what kind of help you can expect if you’re raising kids right now.

First Things First: Is There a $3,600 Credit This Year?

Nope. Not in 2025.

That $3,600 credit was part of a temporary boost during COVID under the American Rescue Plan back in 2021. It gave families:

• $3,600 for kids under 6

• $3,000 for kids 6 to 17

It was a big help—but it ended after that year. Lawmakers have talked about bringing it back, but so far, nothing’s been approved.

So, What’s the Real Child Tax Credit in 2025?

Here’s what’s still available when you file taxes for 2024 (which you’ll do in early 2025):

• Up to $2,000 per child under age 17

• And if you don’t owe that much in taxes, you could still get up to $1,700 refunded as cash back — this part is called the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)

Not $3,600, but still a decent chunk of money when you’re raising kids.

Who Qualifies?

Here’s what you need to know to qualify for the credit:

• Your child must be under 17 by the end of the year

• They must have lived with you for more than half the year

• They can’t have paid more than half their own expenses

• They must be your biological child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant (like a grandchild or niece/nephew)

• They must be a U.S. citizen or resident with a valid Social Security number

• Your income matters too:

  • If you’re single, the credit starts shrinking if you make over $200,000

  • For married couples filing jointly, the limit is $400,000

Will the IRS Send Monthly Checks Again?

Sadly, no.

Those monthly payments we got in 2021? That was just a one-time COVID relief measure. There are no monthly payments in 2025. If you’re eligible, you’ll get your credit when you file your taxes — that’s it.

When Will You Actually See That Money?

If you qualify for the refundable portion (up to $1,700), you’ll still have to wait a bit:

• The IRS can’t release those refunds until mid-February (it’s a fraud protection law)

• If you file early and do direct deposit, you’ll probably see your money around March 3, 2025

Watch Out for Misinformation

A lot of websites and social posts are still saying the $3,600 credit is back — but they’re just reusing old info from 2021. It’s not true in 2025. If you want real answers, always double-check with the IRS website or trusted tax resources.

Raising kids is expensive — no surprise there. While the Child Tax Credit isn’t as big as it was during the pandemic, the $2,000 credit (and up to $1,700 in refunds) can still be a nice boost during tax season.