The 411 on Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021

Image by PublicDomainPNG from Pixabay 

Image by PublicDomainPNG from Pixabay 

Starting tomorrow, July 15, “The IRS will pay half the total [Child Tax Credit] amount in advance monthly payments.” These payments, occurring on the 15th of each month, will be “in the amount of up to $300 a month per child under age 6 and up to $250 a month per child under age 18. These families also will receive an additional Child Tax Credit of up to $1,800 per child under age 6 and up to $1,500 per child under age 18 through their 2021 tax return.

According to the IRS, you—and your spouse, if you filed a joint return—must meet the following requirements to qualify for the advance Child Tax Credit payments:

  • Filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return and claimed the Child Tax Credit on the return; or

  • Provided to the IRS your information in 2020 to receive the Economic Impact Payment using the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool; and

  • A main home in the United States for more than half the year (the 50 states and the District of Columbia) or file a joint return with a spouse who has a main home in the United States for more than half the year; and

  • A qualifying child who is under age 18 at the end of 2021 and who has a valid Social Security number; and

  • Made less than certain income limits.

For people meeting the above requirements, the IRS will automatically enroll them in the advance payments.

The IRS also provides tools to assist with this advance tax credit:

Additional Resources