2025 tax season: These are the states sending in their own child tax credit this year

Several states have their own versions of a child tax credit that residents can claim in addition to the federal credit, giving them a little more help with the costs of raising a family. If you live in Minnesota, you may be able to get even more.

Either at the state or federal level, child tax credits can offer a financial lifeline for parents, helping them put money in their pockets each year for each child they have. While the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit expires in 2026 (PDF) unless Congress decides to extend it, parents in several states may also be eligible for additional state-level credits, although the amounts offered and eligibility requirements vary widely.

The impact of the child tax credit has been significant, even just in the last few years, such as studies of the temporary extension of the federal credit in 2021. found this to be an important factor in reducing child poverty. Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social Policy found that payments reduce monthly rates of child poverty by nearly 30%, with payments reaching approximately 61 million children.

Read on to find out if your state offers a child tax credit and if your family qualifies for it. For more information on taxes, find out how The IRS can process payment applications and how new tax brackets may affect you.

What is Child Tax Credit?

With a child tax credit, eligible taxpayers may be able to reduce their income tax based on how many children they claim as dependents.

First introduced in 1997, the federal credit currently offers $2,000 per child, with only $1,600 of that amount refundable, meaning you can get that amount even if you don’t owe that much in taxes. The remaining $400 is non-refundable, so it can only be used to reduce your tax burden.

The current value of the federal credit was set by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which temporarily increased the credit until December 31, 2025. After that date, without further expansion by Congress, the credit must return to its previous amount: $1,000, nonrefundable, for a dependent child under 16.

Which states offer the child tax credit?

Whatever happens to the federal child tax credit through 2026, parents in the following 16 states can rest a little easier knowing they may also be able to get a state-level credit: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho , Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Vermont.

However, the specifics of these credits — including how much they cost, how much is refundable and what counts as a dependent child — will vary greatly by state.

What is the Minnesota Child Tax Credit Down Payment Option?

On Tuesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz unveiled a new option for child tax credit available to taxpayers in the North Star State known as “advance payment.” If a Minnesota resident who qualifies for the state credit files for this new option during the 2025 tax season, they will not only receive their full credit for that year as usual—the amount of which can be found below – but will also receive the credit they would have received in 2026. earlier. Under the new policy, next year’s Child Tax Credit advance payment will be paid in increments in the second half of 2025.

“The goal of this nation-leading tax credit is to reduce child poverty and provide tax relief for Minnesota’s working-class families,” Waltz said. “With the prepayment option, we make it easier for families to manage their annual household budget. This new option will increase financial freedom and ensure families have the support they need throughout the year.”

How much is each state child tax credit and who is eligible?

Here are the 16 states offering child tax credits as of October 2024, according to National Conference of State Legislatures. Eligibility and amount vary by state, with 12 states making the credit refundable, so you can get a refund even if you owe no tax.

Arizona: $100 per dependent child under 17, non-refundable.

California: $1,117 for a qualifying dependent child under age 6, refundable. Income must be under $25,000 for the full amount, the amount is reduced for families with income between $25,000 and $30,931. Must also qualify for the state Earned Income Tax Credit.

Colorado: Up to $3,200 per eligible dependent under 16, refundable. The exact amount will vary based on income, filing status, and child’s age.

Idaho: $205 per dependent child under 17, non-refundable.

Illinois: Credit worth 20% of the state Earned Income Tax Credit for a dependent child under age 12, refundable.

Maine: $300 per dependent child under 17, refundable.

Maryland: $500 for an eligible dependent child under the age of 17, refundable. However, the child must have a disability and the family’s adjusted gross income must be $6,000 or less to qualify.

Massachusetts: $180 for one dependent child under 12 or $360 for two or more, refundable. The credit is also applicable to seniors 65 or older or people with disabilities.

Minnesota: $1,750 per dependent child, refundable, for individual filers making $29,500 or less, or $35,000 for joint filers.

New Jersey: $500 per dependent child under age 6 for taxpayers making less than $30,000 is refundable. Credit decreases in $100 increments as the income bracket increases, with the smallest credit, $100 per dependent, available to those with incomes of $120,000 – $150,000.

New Mexico: Between $75 and $175 for a dependent child under 17, depending on income level, refundable.

New York: The credit is the greater of: or 33% of the portion of the federal child tax credit and the federal supplemental child tax credit attributable to eligible children, or $100 times the number of eligible children . The credit is refundable, children must be 16 years old.

Oklahoma: 5% of the federal child tax credit per household, non-refundable. Not available to married couples filing jointly with gross income over $100,000.

Oregon: $1,000 per dependent child under 5, refundable. Available only to families making less than $30,000.

Utah: $1,000 per dependent child between the ages of 1 and 3, non-refundable. The credit decreases by $10 for every $1 of income above a certain threshold: $27,000 for married filers filing separately, $43,000 for single filers or $54,000 for joint filers.

Vermont: $1,000 per dependent child under age 5 for taxpayers making less than $125,000 is refundable.

For more, check out CNET’s picks the best tax software you can get in 2024.