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Policy Priority
THE TAX CODE

Child Tax Credit

Overview

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) helps qualifying parents with children under the age of 17 offset the cost of everyday household expenses.

CTC is designed to ensure that the tax code reflects the fact that families have more expenses and less disposable income than individuals and couples with the same income who don’t have children. Parents can use this credit for any expense, even those unrelated to the cost of raising children.

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Resources

Resource

FFYF Capsule Collection: Tax Policy and Child Care

October 29, 2024

Millions of American families today are struggling to find the affordable, reliable, quality child care they depend on to go to work. This has a devastating impact on our youngest …

Resource

The First Five Things To Know About: The Federal Tax Code and Child Care

October 29, 2024

Child care is not a luxury for American families – it’s a necessity. Yet the high costs associated with quality child care are rapidly outpacing most other expenses, including the …

Resource

The Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit ⁠— Understanding the Difference

September 27, 2024

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit support families in very different ways. Families need both. Child care is not a luxury for American families …

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Updates

News

First Five Years Fund: An Opportunity to Prioritize Urgent Child Care Needs in 2025

November 6, 2024

A message from Executive Director Sarah Rittling: Child care in the United States remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and in short supply. As we look to the new Congress and Administration, First …

News

Job Posting: Government Affairs Manager

October 24, 2024

Location Washington, D.C. (hybrid; remote work Monday and Friday; in-office work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) This position supports First Five Years Fund and its related 501(c)(4) social advocacy arm, First Five Action …


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