Establish a child income tax credit

Montana's LC 3865 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $1,000 per qualifying child under age 5 for eligible residents. To claim it, taxpayers must have earned income, a valid Social Security number for each child, and meet income limits ($35,000 single/head of household, $65,000 married filing jointly). The credit is refundable - meaning families can receive cash even if they owe no state tax - and adjusts annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index. This policy directly affects Montana parents with young children who meet income and documentation requirements.