Empire State Child Credit

Dear Residents of the Town of Ausable,

I hope this message finds you and your families well as we move through early 2026. As your local Town officials keep an eye on resources that can directly benefit our community, I wanted to share important information about a valuable state program that many families in our area may qualify for: the Empire State Child Credit.

This refundable tax credit, administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the Department of Taxation and Finance, provides meaningful financial support to eligible New York families with children. For tax year 2025 (which you’re filing now or soon in 2026), the program has seen a significant expansion—making it more generous than in previous years.

Key Details for Tax Year 2025

• Credit Amounts — You can receive:
  • Up to $1,000 per qualifying child under age 4 (as of December 31, 2025).
  • Up to $330 per qualifying child ages 4 through 16 (less than 17 years old as of December 31, 2025).
• The credit is refundable, meaning even if you owe little or no state income tax, you can still receive the money as a refund—helping with everyday expenses like groceries, childcare, or household needs.

Who Qualifies?To be eligible, you generally must:

• Be a full-year New York State resident.
• Have at least one qualifying child under age 17 (with a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for both you and the child).
• File a New York State income tax return.
• The credit is available to many families, including low-income households—even those with no taxable income—as long as they file and meet basic requirements.
• There are income phase-outs (the credit reduces gradually for higher earners, often starting around $75,000 for single filers or $110,000 for married filing jointly, though exact thresholds can vary).

This credit builds on the federal Child Tax Credit, but it’s a separate New York benefit that puts additional cash back in qualifying residents’ pockets.

How to Claim It

It’s straightforward: When you file your 2025 New York State income tax return, include Form IT-213 (“Claim for Empire State Child Credit”). You can file electronically or by paper—many free filing options exist through the state’s tax website or community assistance programs.

The deadline to file for 2025 taxes is typically April 15, 2026 (or later with an extension), so if you haven’t filed yet, now is a great time to review your eligibility.

For the most accurate and up-to-date details—including any specific income thresholds, phase-out rules, or changes—please visit these official resources:

• Empire State Child Credit page on OTDA: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/empire-state-child-credit/
• New York State Tax Department info: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/empire_state_child_credit.htm

Programs like this help strengthen our families and our community right here in the Town of Ausable and across Clinton and Essex counties. If you think you or someone you know might qualify, please take a moment to check it out—it’s money that belongs to eligible New Yorkers.

Wishing you a smooth tax season and a great spring ahead!

Sincerely,
-Tim