Your newborn and your taxes: credits and accounts to claim
A new baby changes your tax return the very first year. The key that unlocks almost everything is your baby's Social Security number.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
On irs.gov, the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child for the 2025 tax year, with up to $1,700 refundable, in full up to $200,000 of income ($400,000 jointly); the 2026 amount was not yet posted there. Babies born from 2025 to 2028 who are US citizens with an SSN can get a $1,000 Trump Account pilot contribution through Form 4547.
The Child Tax Credit
As shown on irs.gov in October 2026, for the 2025 tax year:
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum credit | $2,200 per qualifying child |
| Refundable part (Additional Child Tax Credit) | Up to $1,700 per child, depending on income |
| Earned income needed for the refundable part | At least $2,500 |
| Full credit if income is not more than | $200,000 ($400,000 married filing jointly) |
| Social Security number | Required for you (or your spouse if filing jointly) and the child, valid for employment, issued before the return's due date |
The value for the 2026 tax year was not posted on that page when we checked: look at irs.gov before you file. You claim the credit on Form 1040 with Schedule 8812.
Good to know
The SSN must be issued before the due date of your return. Say yes to the SSN on the hospital birth certificate form: it is the simplest way, and it is free. See birth certificate and SSN.
The Trump Account and its $1,000 pilot contribution
According to irs.gov:
- A Trump Account is for a child who has not turned 18 before the end of the year of the election, with a valid Social Security number.
- It features a $1,000 pilot program contribution for children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 who are US citizens with a valid SSN.
- To elect it, a parent or other authorized person submits Form 4547, for example after signing in to an IRS online account.
Other credits a new baby can affect
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): for low to moderate incomes; a qualifying child can increase it. The IRS publishes each year's income limits and maximum credits on its EITC tables page.
- Child and Dependent Care Credit: if you pay for child care so that you can work or look for work, the credit is a percentage of qualifying expenses based on your income. Keep the provider's name, address and tax ID.
- Dependent care FSA: if your employer offers one, ask HR right away whether the birth lets you enroll or change your election.
A simple tax checklist for the first year
Every dollar matters in the first year: a 2024 study (Moniz and colleagues) found that postpartum people were more likely than pregnant people to have medical debt in collections. Claiming the credits you are entitled to is one of the simplest ways to ease the year.
Questions parents ask
How much is the Child Tax Credit for a newborn?
For the 2025 tax year, irs.gov lists up to $2,200 per qualifying child, with up to $1,700 refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit. Check irs.gov for the 2026 amount before you file.
Does my baby need a Social Security number for the Child Tax Credit?
Yes. You (or your spouse if filing jointly) and the child must have an SSN valid for employment, issued before the due date of the return. Apply for it at the hospital, free of charge.
How do I get the $1,000 Trump Account money for my baby?
For a US-citizen child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 with a valid SSN, submit Form 4547 to elect the account and the pilot contribution, for example through your IRS online account.
Sources
- IRS — Child Tax Credit checked October 13, 2026
- IRS — Trump Accounts checked October 13, 2026
- IRS — Child and Dependent Care Credit information checked October 13, 2026
- IRS — Earned Income and EITC tables checked October 13, 2026
- Social Security Administration — Social Security Numbers for Children checked October 13, 2026
- Moniz MH et al. Association of Childbirth With Medical Debt. Obstet Gynecol 2024 (PMID 37769313, DOI 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005381) checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.