What is Child Tax Credit?
Under the American Rescue Plan of 2021, advance payments of up to half the 2021 Child Tax Credit were sent to eligible taxpayers.
The Child Tax Credit Update Portal is no longer available, but you can see your advance payments total in your online account.
Frequently Asked Questions:Â 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Payments
2021 Tax Filing Information
Get your advance payments total and number of qualifying children in your online account. You can use your username and password for the Child Tax Credit Update Portal to sign in to your online account.
You can also refer to Letter 6419.
Reconcile Your Advance Payments Total on Your 2021 Tax Return
If you received advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, you need to reconcile (compare) the total you received with the amount you’re eligible to claim.
To reconcile advance payments on your 2021 return:
- Get your advance payments total and number of qualifying children in your online account.
- Enter your information on Schedule 8812 (Form 1040).
You can also refer to Letter 6419.
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Frequently Asked Questions:Â Reconciling Your Advance Payments
If You Didn’t Receive Advance Payments
You can claim the full amount of the 2021 Child Tax Credit if you’re eligible — even if you don’t normally file a tax return.
To claim the full Child Tax Credit, file a 2021 tax return.
Who is Eligible
To be eligible for advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, you (and your spouse, if married filing jointly) must have:
- Filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return and claimed the Child Tax Credit on the return or
- Entered your information in 2020 to get stimulus (Economic Impact) payments with the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool or
- Given us your information in 2021 with the Non-Filer: Submit Your Information tool
And you (and your spouse, if married filing jointly) must also have:
- Lived in a main home in the United States for more than half the year (the 50 states and the District of Columbia) or filed a joint return with a spouse who has a main home in the United States for more than half the year;Â and
- A qualifying child who is under age 18 at the end of 2021 and who has a valid Social Security number;Â and
- Made less than certain income limits.
