One-stop Guide to Child Tax Credit Resources
*We will continue to update this article as more resources become available, so make sure to bookmark it on your phone or computer.
When talking with and surveying our members, we discovered that there’s so much more information about the upcoming Child Tax Credit payments that we should be sharing with all of you. So we decided to compile a guide to all the resources you might need.
Our Articles & Videos
- Video: CFP Recommends how Parents Could Use the Child Tax Credit
- Video: Ask an Expert episode 4: Let’s chat about the Child Tax Credit (ft. Tania Brown, SaverLife CFP, and Radha Seshagiri, SaverLife Director of Policy)
- Article: How People are Using the Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments
- Article: 6 Myths About Receiving the Child Tax Credit
- Article: You will NOT lose public benefits because of the Child Tax Credit
- Article: What you need to do now to receive the Child Tax Credit payments starting July 15
- Article: Big Changes with the Child Tax Credit – Including an Advance Payment
- Video: Child Tax Credit Payments Hitting Bank Accounts Today (ft. Radha Seshagiri, SaverLife Director of Policy)
Note: We’ll continue to add and update our articles and videos, so watch for updates!
Didn’t File Taxes? You May Still be Eligible
- If you didn’t make enough money to be required to file taxes in 2020 or 2019, you can still receive this tax credit
- Go to GetCTC.org to complete a simplified tax form (use this only if you do not typically have to file taxes)
Note: Most families are already signed up! If you’ve filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up with the IRS Non-Filer tool last year to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you should get the monthly Child Tax Credit automatically.
Tip: Learn whether you need to take additional steps to receive the credit, from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Did you have a baby in 2021?
Congratulations!
If you had or adopted a baby in 2021, you can receive up to $300 per month. You need to take some action: you will need to update your family status with the IRS. One option is to update your family status on the IRS’s online portal (currently in development). Or, you can update your family status when you file your tax return in 2022.
Did the custody of your children change?
Only one parent can claim the credit for a given child. And if you incorrectly claim a child this year, you may have to repay all or part of the payment next year. If this applies to you, it may be helpful to opt-out of monthly payments, and receive any Child Tax Credit funds you’re due in 2022 after you file your tax return.
Will your 2021 income be very different from your 2020 or 2019 income?
If your 2021 earnings will be significantly different from 2020 or 2019, that may impact the amount you receive from the Child Tax Credit. Update your estimated 2021 income by using this tool from the IRS to avoid repayment next year.
Prefer a lump sum check next year?
- Use this tool to opt-out of monthly payments so you can receive your advanced Child Tax Credit as a single payment in 2022 when you file your tax return
- To stop monthly payments, you must unenroll at least 3 days before the first Thursday of the next month by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
More Helpful Links
- Need to get in touch with an IRS representative? You can call this number 800-829-1040 or visit the IRS website of FAQs
- The White House’s website and FAQ on the Child Tax Credit (offered in English & Spanish)
- Here’s an informative FAQ from the team at the United State of Women
- Fighting Chance for Families is a campaign fighting for the expanded Child Tax Credit to be made permanent
- Want an estimate of how much you’ll receive per month? The team that made the FreshEBT website put together this helpful site: ChildTaxCredit.com
- The CFPB offers a great resource on how to protect yourself and your family from Child Tax Credit scams
Note: There’s no deadline to apply to receive the advanced Child Tax Credit payments this year. “People who miss the advance payment window completely can get the full CTC by filing a 2021 tax return in 2022” (TaxOutreach).