Child Tax Credit increases to $2,200: Who can get it and when you’ll receive it

The 2026 tax season begins with a major change for many U.S. families. A new law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, increases the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to $2,200 per qualifying child.

This update is expected to raise refunds for many low- and middle-income households, with some families receiving about $1,000 more on average than before.
 

Who qualifies for the $2,200 Child Tax Credit?

To claim the credit under the updated rules, the child must meet key requirements:
 

• Age: The child must be under 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Relationship: The child must be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, or a descendant of any of these (such as a grandchild).
• Residency: The child must have lived with you in the United States for more than half of the year.
• Support: You must have provided at least 50% of the child’s financial support.

 

When will refunds be paid?

The IRS says it plans to process most electronic tax returns in under 21 days. However, there is an important delay for refunds that include the Child Tax Credit (or the Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC):
 

• Refunds with these credits are legally held until mid-February.
• With direct deposit, many families should see the money arrive starting in the first week of March.

 

How to claim the Child Tax Credit smoothly

To reduce delays and receive your refund as quickly as possible:
 

• File electronically: Using tax software can speed up processing.
• Use direct deposit: It is the fastest way to get your refund and helps you receive it before March.
• Check Form 1099-K rules: The reporting threshold for sales on digital platforms has returned to $20,000, which may make filing easier for many small online sellers.

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