16 States Offering Child Tax Credits in 2025

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The official start of tax season is here. According to the IRS, taxpayers in 25 states were able to start filing on Jan. 27 and depending on where you live, taxpayers with children might be eligible for extra savings.

In addition to the federal child tax credit, here are 16 states offering a separate credit that residents can take advantage of if eligible.

The Federal Child Tax Credit

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the federal child tax credit (CTC) was enacted in 1997 and was created to help provide financial relief for families and the soaring price of raising a child.

“When you are eligible for a tax credit, whether it be from the state or federal, it basically is an amount that you subtract from the taxes that you owe,” said Eric Mangold, founder of Argosy Wealth Management. “So this can lower your tax payment or increase your refund (if you are due one).”

The website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) states that currently, the CTC offers a credit of up to $2,000 per child under the age of 17 if your annual is not more than $400,000 (if filing a joint return) or $200,000 for a single filer. However, the credit could be reduced to the original $1,000 amount under the Trump administration. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 or TCJA, temporarily increased the maximum child tax credit to $2,000 and if the 2026 deadline isn’t extended, the higher benefit could expire, Newsweek reported.

The Rising Cost of Raising a Child

In 2024, a child’s expenses, including food, housing and childcare, cost between $16,227 and $18,262 per Credit Karma and the federal tax credit can help relieve financial pressure.

“For many families across the country, the child tax credit is a valuable tax benefit that leaves more money in their bank account each year, which is particularly helpful in offsetting the rising costs of groceries, childcare, school supplies and other expenses,” explained Davis McFarlane certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) and family office advisor with Greenleaf Trust. 

According to the NCSL, here are the 16 states that offer an additional child tax credit and the conditions.

Arizona

• Program name: Dependent Credit
• Refundable: No
• Tax credit amount: $100 for those dependents who are under 17 years old
• Eligibility: Dependents under the age of 17

California

• Program name: Young Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $1,000 per qualifying child under 6 years old; income must be under $25,0000 for the full amount; earnings between $25,000 to $30,000 will be reduced
• Eligibility: Eligible under for the California Earned Income Tax Credit and have child(ren) under six years old

Colorado

• Program name: Family Affordability Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: Up to $3,200 per qualifying child (according to the Colorado Department of Revenue, credit amounts vary on annual income)
• Eligibility: Have child(ren) under 16 years old

Idaho

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: No
• Tax credit amount: $205 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Have child(ren) under the age of 17

Illinois 

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: A credit for 20% of the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit
• Eligibility: Have child(ren) under 12 years olf

Maine

• Program name: Dependent Exemption Tax Credit 
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $300 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Have child under the age of 17

Maryland

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $500 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Have an adjusted gross income of $6,000 or less and child(ren) under the age of 17 with a disability

Massachusetts

• Program name: Household Dependent Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $180 per qualifying child or older adult, $360 for two or more dependents
• Eligibility: Have child(ren) under 12 years old (the credit also applies to adults 65 and over and anyone who has a disability)

Minnesota

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $1,750 for each qualifying child
• Eligibility: Individual taxpayers with an annual income of $25,000 or less or $35,000 for joint taxpayers

New Jersey

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $500 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Children must be under the age of 6 (taxpayers can’t earn more than $30,000)

New Mexico

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $75 to $175 depending on income level
• Eligibility: Must be under 17

New York

• Program name: Empire State Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: Either 33% of the portion of the federal child tax credit or $100 times the number of qualifying children — whichever value is greater for the taxpayer
• Eligibility: Must be eligible for the federal child tax credit and under the age of 17

Oklahoma 

• Program name: Child Tax Credit 
• Refundable: No
• Tax credit amount: Taxpayers can choose 20% of the credit for childcare costs or 5% of the federal credit — whichever value is greater
• Eligibility: For married couples filing jointly, adjusted gross income can’t exceed $100,000

Oregon

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $1,000 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Must be under the age of 5 and families can’t earn more than $30,000

Utah

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: No
• Tax credit amount: $1,000 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Children must be between the ages of 1 and 4

Vermont

• Program name: Child Tax Credit
• Refundable: Yes
• Tax credit amount: $1,000 per qualifying child
• Eligibility: Child must be under the age of 5; Taxpayers’ income must not exceed $125,000

According to the NCSL, the CTC prevents 2 million children from living in poverty every year and the expanded tax credit has helped 36 million families provide basic necessities for their household.

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