Child benefit in United States (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: The United States has no child benefit payment. The federal Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, with the full credit up to $200,000 income ($400,000 joint).
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Amount of child benefitChild benefit | There is no child benefit in the form of a payment. The federal Child Tax Credit is a tax credit worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child (IRS page written for the 2025 tax year); up to $1,700 of it can be refunded as the Additional Child Tax Credit. [1] |
| Age limit for the childChild benefit | The child must be under 17 at the end of the tax year (IRS page written for the 2025 tax year). [1] |
| Residence conditionChild benefit | The child must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien and have a Social Security number issued before the tax return due date; the claimant also needs a valid Social Security number. [1] |
| Income testChild benefit | The full credit is available if annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 on a joint return); parents with higher incomes may get a partial credit. The refundable part needs earned income of at least $2,500. [1] |
| Where to claimChild benefit | The credit is claimed on the federal income tax return (Form 1040) filed with the Internal Revenue Service. [1] |
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service: Child Tax Credit (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.