What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC) scheme?
In the United States, the government runs the Child Tax Credit (CTC) scheme to provide financial assistance to families who are raising their children. Under this scheme, eligible families can get a tax exemption of up to $2,000 per child. Its main objective is to provide financial relief to parents so that they can meet the education, health care and other necessary expenses of their children.
Will this scheme change in the future?
Although this scheme is in force now, it is likely to change after 2025. If Congress does not approve it again, the child tax credit will be reduced to just $1,000 from 2026. Therefore, it is important for those families to take advantage of this scheme in time.
What is the eligibility to get Child Tax Credit (CTC)?
To take advantage of this scheme, the following conditions must be met:
✅ Relationship to the child: The child must be your biological, adopted, step or other close relative (such as grandchild, sibling).
✅ Residence requirements: The child must have lived with you for at least 6 months.
✅ Age limit: The child must be under 17 years of age.
✅ Dependency status: The child must be reported as your dependent on your tax return.
✅ Income limits:
Individuals (single filers) with annual income up to $200,000 are entitled to the full amount.
Married couples (joint filers) with annual income up to $400,000 are entitled to the full amount.
The amount of the tax credit starts decreasing if the income is more than this.
If the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) expires by 2026, these income limits may also change, leaving many families unable to avail the benefits of this scheme.
What changes can happen to the child tax credit in the future?
In early 2024, a proposal was put forward in the House of Representatives, which called for increasing the CTC amount to $1,900 and adjusting it according to inflation. But this proposal could not pass in the Senate, due to which the future of this scheme remains uncertain.
If Congress does not make any changes to this plan, then from 2026, the child tax credit will decrease to $1,000. Therefore, families should keep an eye on the upcoming changes, so that they can make the most of this scheme.
How to claim child tax credit (CTC)?
If you want to take advantage of this scheme, then you have to file a federal tax return and attach the right documents.
📌 Form 1040: This is the standard tax form that all taxpayers must fill out.
📌 Form 1040-SR: For taxpayers over the age of 65.
📌 Schedule 8812: For families who are eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
If you have mistakenly not claimed the CTC in previous years, you can claim it retrospectively for up to 3 years. For this, you have to file Form 1040-X and submit an amended tax return.
Key Takeaways:

✅ Eligible families can get a tax credit of up to $2,000 per child.
✅ It is mandatory to meet the income, age of the child, residency status and dependency conditions.
✅ If Congress does not change this law, the CTC will decrease to $1,000 from 2026.
✅ Tax credit can also be claimed by filing an amended tax return for the last 3 years.
✅ A proposal to increase the CTC in 2024 was made, but the Senate did not approve it.
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Conclusion:
The child tax credit is an important financial aid scheme for American families, allowing them to reduce the expenses associated with raising their children. But there is uncertainty about its future after 2025.
If you are eligible for this scheme, file your tax return on time and keep an eye on possible changes, so that you can make the most of this credit in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
❓ Who can get the $2,000 child tax credit?
✅ Eligible families must have a child under the age of 17 and meet residency and dependency requirements.
❓ What is the maximum income limit for the CTC?
✅ $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married couples filing jointly.
❓ How to claim the child tax credit?
✅ Submit Form 1040 and Schedule 8812 when filing a federal tax return.
❓ Can I get the child tax credit for previous years?
✅ Yes, you can claim the credit by filing an amended tax return (Form 1040-X) for up to 3 years.
❓ Can the amount of the child tax credit change in the future?
✅ If Congress doesn’t extend it, it will be $1,000 starting in 2026.