A new bill looks set to change the rules around the child tax credit, potentially causing millions of Americans to no longer be eligible. HR 547 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require Americans to provide a Social Security number in order to claim the child tax credit.

At this time, the child tax credit hands families a $2,000 discount on their tax bill for every child under the age of 17 that they care for

That year, the Child Tax Credit provided up to $3,600 per child under six and $3,000 per child aged six to 17. For 2025, the maximum child tax credit is $2,000 per qualifying child, unchanged from 2024. However, without legislative changes, the credit is set to revert to $1,000 per child starting in 2026.