Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is getting a boost, giving some much-needed assistance to millions of families. The credit is being increased from $2,000 to $3,000 for children over 6, and to $3,600 for children under 6. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is partnering with local organizations, churches and nonprofits to help communities file their taxes and make sure they receive all the tax credits they’re eligible for. We answered some of the most common questions for you below:
- Who is eligible?
You qualify for advance Child Tax Credit payments if you have a child under the age of 18 with a Social Security Number (SSN) valid for employment in the U.S. Parents are not required to have an SSN, but they must have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to claim the CTC for their eligible children. Families making less than $150,000 a year and single parents making less than $112,500 can now claim the credit
- How can I check if I’m eligible for the child tax credit?
You can use the IRS CTC Assistant here (inglés). Here’s the information you need to check your eligibility:
- If you claimed the child tax credit on your 2019 OR 2020 tax return
* You do not qualify if you didn’t claim the CTC on your 2019 or 2020 return - Main residency location for more than half of 2019 or 2020
- Your filing status on your 2019 or 2020 return (single, married etc.)
- Your adjusted gross income (if married, you and your spouse’s combined income)
- Number of children you claimed for the CTC age 5 and under on December 31, 2021
- Number of children you claimed for the CTC ages 6-17 on December 31, 2021
- To check if you’re enrolled to receive child income tax credit payments:
- Log in to your IRS account here (you will need your username and password)
- If you previously signed up to access an IRS.gov application, you can sign in with your existing username
- If you are a new user, you will be required to create an ID.me account. This is an identity verification tool used by the IRS. Click here to create an account with your email. If you already have an ID.me account, click here to log in.
- Scroll down to ‘Payments’ section
- Click + to show ‘Processed Payments’
- You may receive half of the Child Tax Credit for each child in equal payments each month for the rest of 2021
- Payments start July 15 (click here for 2021 payment schedule)
- For each qualifying child under age 6, you will receive up to $1,800 (usually six monthly payments of $300)
- For each qualifying child over age 6 and under age 18, you will receive up to $1,500 (usually six monthly payments of $250)
- Child Tax Credit non-filer sign-up tool
Click here to create an account with your email address (Do NOT use this online form if you’re required to file a tax return). You will need:
- Full name
- Current mailing address
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Valid Social Security numbers (or other taxpayer IDs) for you and your dependents
- Bank account number, type and routing number, if you have one
- Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) you received from the IRS earlier this year, if you have one
- Where can I go if I need help?
The IRS is hosting free tax preparation events in several US cities on July 9 and 10 where eligible families can receive help preparing and filing their tax returns (Click here to find an event near you):
ATLANTA, GA
Peachtree Summit (IRS Assistance Center: 401 W Peachtree St. NW Atlanta, GA 30308)
- July 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
HOUSTON, TX
Baker Ripley (6500 Rookin, Bldg. C Houston, TX 77074)
- July 9, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT
BROOKLYN, NY
COJO Flatbush (1523 Avenue M, Third Fl. Brooklyn, NY 11230
- July 9 a.m., 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
IRS TAC (Ted Weiss Federal Building 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007) - July 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
MIAMI, FL
Haitian Neighborhood Center, Inc. (13390 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, FL 33161)
- July 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
IRS TAC Claude Pepper Federal Building (51 SW First Ave. Miami, FL 33130)
- July 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
LOS ANGELES, CA
IRS TAC (9350 East Flair Dr. El Monte, CA 91731)
- July 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
If you can’t find an event near you, call 800-829-1040 for IRS assistance in Spanish. Click here for more information on the child tax credit for 2021.
