Many families in America are relieved by the news. An amount of $3,600 has now been approved under the Child Tax Credit (CTC) scheme, which will help parents financially in raising children. The amount will surely be helpful for those families who are troubled by rising inflation and living costs.
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What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC) giving or $3,600 for?
Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a tax relief scheme of the government of the USA where cash assistance is provided to families with children. This credit is deducted from the tax of the parents and can also be paid in cash so that they can meet all expenditures related to children. Thirdly, this Child Tax Credit was $2,000 per child, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount has been increased to $3,600.
In the year 2025, this amount has once again been approved, which is supposed to ease the burden on families.
Why is the $3,600 amount given, and who gets it?
The government is providing this amount because:
- The costs for education, health, food, clothes, and rent have fast increased for bringing up children.
- The financial squeeze is being felt the most by the lower-income and middle-class families.
- The intention behind CTC is to reduce child poverty while providing financial security to parents.
- This credit ensures not only some degree of financial assistance but also that the government cares for its citizens during hard times.
Eligibility Criteria – Who can avail of CTC?
There are certain conditions for CTC $3,600 application for disbursements. The criteria prescribed by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) are:
- Age of child: The child must be below 17 years of age.
- Relationship: The child must be your son, daughter, adopted son, or daughter, or be either your sibling or their child (such as a grandchild).
- Residence: The child must reside with you for more than half of the year.
- Provision and Expenses: You must have paid at least half of the child’s expenses for the year.
- Social Security Number: The child must have a valid Social Security number.
- Claiming on Tax Return: The child must be claimed as a dependent on your tax return.
- Income Limit:
- The income of Single filers should be less than $200,000.
- Income for married couples filing jointly should be less than $400,000.
Payment process- How to get money?
Payments can be made by two methods under this scheme:
- In A Lump Sum: The sum can be received as a refund while filing taxes.
- Monthly Advance Payments: The government gives a fixed amount to the family’s account every month for a few months.
The methods and dates are subject to change from year to year, hence it’s very important to keep checking for updates on their official website, irs.gov.
What documents are required?
To claim a CTC, you will require the following key documents:
- The child’s social security number
- Income certificate (W-2 or 1099 form)
- Copy of previous tax return
- Bank account information (if you want direct deposit)
Having all these documents made available on time will help ease your process.
CTC Effects – Opinions and Experiences of the People
This scheme has gained a lot of acceptance among American families. The very low-income people regard it as nothing less than the “Sanjeevani.” They use the credit for:
- School fees of their children
- Medical bills
- Rent and utility bills
- Daily necessities like food and clothing
Some parents said they last used the amount to repair their car, buy winter clothes for the children, and pay their bills.
Criticisms and Concerns
While there are many people generally endorsing the scheme, naysayers argue that more cash assistance to some people would mean a potential disincentive for working hard. Research and other reports suggest that this money is largely spent wisely by most parents.
Experts believe that benefits such as the CTC help not only the advancement of children in health and education but also the increased productivity and stability of society.
Latest updates what’s new for 2025?
This scheme has again come into operation for the year 2025; however, should Congress allow this law to lapse, this amount might drop to $1,000 in 2026. Therefore, claiming it in time is highly recommended.
- Deadline: April 11, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: May 20, 2025
More information and form fill-up on the IRS website.
Conclusion
CTC’s approval for $3,600 provides immense relief to American families. The scheme includes cash to poor persons and is also inclined toward mainstreaming of poor sections of society. If you are an eligible parent, do not miss this opportunity and fill the claim form as soon as possible.