Brooklyn families with young children can receive up to $1,000 per child under age 4 and $330 per child ages 4-16 through New York’s expanded Empire State Child Credit — but they must file a state tax return by April 15 to claim the money.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced the expanded credit provides financial assistance to families with children under 17, with no income requirement to qualify. Families must be full-year New York residents and provide valid Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for themselves and each child.
“The expanded Empire State Child Credit will provide a much-needed boost to household budgets for millions of families across New York State and will be especially impactful for families with young children who have little or no income,” said OTDA Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn.
Free tax preparation assistance is available through the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for households earning less than $69,000, or less than $39,000 for households without dependents. IRS-certified volunteers help ensure families receive all eligible tax credits.
The expanded credit represents the largest increase in New York State history. Governor Hochul and the State Legislature eliminated restrictions that previously prevented the state’s poorest families from accessing the full credit amount as a refund. The changes also adjusted income phase-out limits, allowing more middle-class families to qualify.
“New York families are facing an unrelenting affordability crisis and are struggling to afford groceries for their children while living paycheck to paycheck,” said State Senator Patricia Fahy. “By expanding the Child Tax Credit for working families, we are delivering up to $1,000 for every child below age four and $330 per child over the age of four.”
A family of four with one child under 4 and one child over 4, earning up to $170,000 annually, can now receive over $500 per year — even though they would not have qualified under the previous program. The average credit for families doubled from $472 to $943.
Representative Paul Tonko emphasized the importance of awareness programs: “Expanded tax credits like the Empire State Child Credit are powerful tools that help families across our Capital Region and New York State keep up with rising costs and put more money back into their pockets. But as valuable as they are, these benefits can only make a difference if families know about them and can take advantage of them.”
Receiving the Empire State Child Credit will not impact families’ eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, cash assistance, or housing assistance. Next year, the credit for children ages 4 through 16 will increase to $500 per child, while households with children under 4 will continue receiving up to $1,000 per child.
In 2025, Capital Region VITA volunteers processed more than 6,000 tax returns. Peter Gannon, President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, said: “More families are struggling to afford the basics with rising costs and stagnant incomes. New York’s expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit significantly increases the number of families who are eligible and can receive this credit.”
Featured image: Bushwick Daily archive
