Starting July 15th, the IRS will send advance payments of the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Depending on the age of your child, you could receive up to $300 a month per child until the end of 2021 and up to $1800 per child when you file in 2022.
You could be eligible if you have a child who meets the following criteria:
Use the IRS' Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant to answer a series of questions to quickly determine your eligibility for the advance payments.
Note: Most families will automatically receive advance payments. There is no additional action needed to sign up for the advance payments if you’ve already filed a 2019 or 2020 federal tax return or used the IRS Non-filers tool in 2020 to sign up for Economic Impact Payments (commonly known as stimulus payments). If you have not taken these steps, you will need to sign up for Advance Payments to receive them.
How to sign up for Advance Payments:
Option 1: File for free with NYC Free Tax Prep. An IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer with NYC Free Tax Prep can help you file a federal tax return or help you use the IRS Child Tax Credit Non-Filer Tool in person or online. Services are available year-round.
Filing your taxes will ensure your family receives all the valuable tax credits you are eligible for, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). You can also claim any amount owed from the first and second federal stimulus payments and claim a third stimulus payment.
For more information or to book an appointment visit: nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 and ask for “tax preparation”.
Option 2: Sign up on your own via the Child Tax Credit Non-Filer Sign-up Tool (available only to those without a filing requirement). Use the Non-Filer Tool to sign up for the advance payments. You can also claim any amount owed from the first and second federal stimulus payments and to claim a third stimulus payment.
To learn more about the advance payments or to access the Non-Filer Sign-up tool visit: IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021.
Getting your payments:
The fastest way to get the CTC advance payments is by direct deposit to a bank account. Families can visit NYC Financial Empowerment Centers for free help setting up a bank account. To set up an appointment, visit nyc.gov/talkmoney or call 311 and ask for “financial counseling”.
The CTC advance payments, whether you decide to receive them or not, will not impact your eligibility for other federally-funded benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). Tax credits do not count as earned income and will not impact your immigration status or application.
Individuals who are currently incarcerated or experiencing homelessness are eligible for the advance payments as long as their family meets the eligibility requirements. A permanent address is not required to receive a payments. Individuals can have their CTC advance payments mailed to the address of a friend, relative, or trusted service provider, such as a shelter, drop-in day center or transitional housing program. For families unable to choose direct deposit, a check or debit card for the credit can be mailed to this address.
