Tax credit for families with children
Short Summary
Claim the federal Child Tax Credit and the Empire State Child Tax Credit to get up to $3,200 per child under age four and up to $2,700 per child ages 4 to 16.
Who it may help
To claim the federal Child Tax Credit, you need to meet all of these requirements:
| Filing status | Annual income limit |
|---|---|
| Single, head of household, or qualifying surviving spouse | Up to $200,000 |
| Married filing jointly | Up to $400,000 |
You must have:
- A child, stepchild, grandchild, foster child, adopted child, sibling, niece, or nephew under age 17
- A Social Security Number (SSN) or Adoption Tax Identification Number (ATIN) for yourself and your dependent(s)
- Lived with your dependent(s) for more than half the year in the US
- Claimed the dependent on your tax return (the dependent cannot provide more than half of their own financial support)
Important: Only one parent can claim a child for the CTC. If you share custody, talk with the other parent about who will claim your child to avoid filing issues.
Requirements for the Empire State Child Tax Credit
You qualify if you're a full-year New York State resident or are married to one, have a qualifying child, and meet one of these requirements:
- You claimed the federal CTC, or
- Your New York adjusted gross income is $75,000 or less (single/head of household), $110,000 or less (married filing jointly), or $55,000 or less (married filing separately)
Each child listed on your claim needs a valid SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
What you may need
Youll need specific documents to file your taxes, like W-2s, receipts, and ID.