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IRS opens online tool to register for the monthly Child Tax Credit payments

Families who don’t file tax returns can now register for the monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments through the Internal Revenue Service's online portal.

"At Treasury, our goal is to make sure that every American can get the relief funding they need as simply as possible," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement on Monday. "We know working families can’t put off paying for doctor’s visits or grocery bills, and this new tool will help more people get their tax credit every month, starting in July."

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed in March includes a one-year expansion of the CTC that increases the credit amount and allows it to be distributed in periodic payments in advance starting July 15.

The tool allows Americans to provide information on themselves and their qualifying children along with entering their direct deposit information where those monthly deposits can be made. Eligible individuals who didn’t file their 2019 or 2020 tax returns or didn’t use the IRS Non-filers tool for stimulus checks should use the tool.

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Individuals will need to provide the following to use the tool:

  • Full name

  • Current mailing address

  • Email address

  • Date of birth

  • 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

The maximum credit in 2021 is $3,600 for children under 6 and $3,000 for children between 6 and 17. Previously, the maximum tax credit was $2,000 per child under 17. The six advance monthly payments will be sent out on July 15, August 13, September 15, October 15, November 15, and December 15.

Here’s what else you need to know about the monthly payments.

Men hands holding a US Government Treasury check
Photo: Getty Creative (Juanmonino via Getty Images)

How much will my payment be?

Eligible households will receive half of their total payments in advance over the next six months beginning in July and ending in December. The monthly payments will be $250 for older children and $300 for children under 6.

The amount will be determined by their 2020 tax return. If that return is not available, the IRS will use their 2019 return.

Read more: Here's what's in Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion 'rescue plan' that could help your wallet

A single filer with children under 17 making up to $75,000 will receive the full payment for each child, while those earning up to $90,000 will get a reduced amount. Joint filers with children making up to $150,000 will get the full credit for their child, while those earning up to $170,000 will receive a smaller amount.

Single filers making over $200,000 and joint filers making over $400,000 will be eligible for the old credit, which is $2,000 per child under 17.

U.S. President Joe Biden signs the American Rescue Plan, a package of economic relief measures to respond to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 11, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
U.S. President Joe Biden signs the American Rescue Plan, a package of economic relief measures to respond to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 11, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner (Tom Brenner / reuters)

Who is eligible?

The IRS will use your 2020 federal tax return and income to determine whether you’re eligible for the credit. The advanced payments equal half of an eligible household's total credit, while the remaining half of the credit can be claimed on your 2021 tax return.

The payments would be made to eligible taxpayers who have a main home in the U.S. for more than half a year.

The CTC was also made fully refundable, which allows taxpayers to get the credit as a refund even if it’s worth more than what they owe in taxes.

Households of approximately 65 million children — or 88% of U.S. kids — will be eligible, the Treasury Department said in May. The payments will be delivered through direct deposit, paper check, or debit cards.

What should I do to claim the credit?

Most taxpayers shouldn’t take additional action to file for the credit besides filing their 2020 tax return if they haven’t done so already.

Read more: Taxes 2021: Credits, deductions, and tax breaks for student loans and college costs

Additionally, eligible taxpayers who don't want to receive advanced payments for 2021 can decline to receive the monthly payments, but the IRS has yet to detail how to do that.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer display the
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer display the "American Rescue Plan" during the enrolment ceremony following passage of U.S. President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus disease (COVID-19) relief bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 10, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott (Erin Scott / reuters)

Can the credit become permanent?

As part of his American Families Plan, President Joe Biden is proposing to extend the expansion of the CTC through 2025. He has previously said that the administration aims to make the benefit permanent.

Some lawmakers also support making permanent the expansion of the CTC and the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

"We must not allow these critical expansions to expire after one year," 40 Democratic senators wrote in a letter in March. "Doing so would result in a significant spike in child poverty, after we have made historic strides to end it. It would mean that millions of struggling adult workers would once again be taxed into poverty."

Yahoo Money sister site Cashay has a weekly newsletter.
Yahoo Money sister site Cashay has a weekly newsletter.

Denitsa is a writer for Yahoo Finance and Cashay, a new personal finance website. Follow her on Twitter @denitsa_tsekova

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