Child Tax Credits: What you need to know

For as much joy as our kids bring us, they generally don't bring us extra income. But that's about to change this summer thanks to an unlikely source—the IRS.

Many parents will soon benefit from an expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC). The American Rescue Plan—the economic stimulus bill passed to help Americans recover from the pandemic—includes legislation that significantly increases the existing credit for 2021.

The tax credit has historically been $2,000 per child. But the new law increases it by 50% or more, broadens eligibility, and provides quick relief in the form of advance monthly payments.

For all you busy parents out there, here’s what you need to know. 

What’s the difference between the current and new CTC?

The existing Child Tax Credit isn’t going anywhere—it’s just expanded in scale and scope for eligible families.^{Disclosure 1} Here’s how this changes things—and when you might receive a payment. 

Do I qualify for expanded CTC payments?

One of the biggest changes in eligibility for the 2021 Child Tax Credit is that low-income parents will qualify for the full benefit even if they aren’t currently employed, a change that should help more families cover more monthly expenses.

On the other hand, some higher-income households may also qualify for all or some of the expanded Child Tax Credit based on adjusted gross income (AGI) limits.

The AGI limits are:

• $150,000 for joint-filing households
• $112,500 for heads of household (single-filing)
• $75,000 for single-filing households

The credit reduces by $50 for every $1,000 you earn over these limits. 

Do my kids need to meet any criteria?

Most families will be eligible to receive some kind of benefit. So if you’re a parent, you’ll probably start getting the extra cash boost starting July 15, 2021, as long as your kids are:

• U.S. citizens, national or resident aliens, and have a Social Security number
• Born before January 1, 2021
• Claimed as a dependent on your 2021 tax return
• Related to and live with you for a minimum of six months during the year^{Disclosure 2}

Is it paid all at once?

Unlike most tax credits, you won’t receive the expanded Child Tax Credit as a refund or an offset to taxes owed when you file your taxes. Instead, the U.S. government is sending half the credit in six advance monthly payments—so if you’re eligible for a $3,600 credit, you’ll receive $1,800 of that between July and December 2021.

If you’d rather receive it all as a refund or an offset to taxes owed during tax season—or if you simply don’t need extra cash in hand right now—you can choose to opt out of the advance monthly payments through the IRS portal.

How much will I receive each month?

Follow this formula if you fall below the AGI limit:

For every eligible kid you have age 0 - 5:

$3,600/2 = $1,800 (total you’ll receive this year in monthly payments)

$1,800/6 = $300 (total you’ll receive each month from July to December 2021)

For every eligible kid you have age 6 - 17:

$3,000/2 = $1,500 (total you’ll receive this year in monthly payments)

$1,500/6 = $250 (total you’ll receive each month from July to December 2021)

Let’s look at some possible examples to show how payments can vary. 

As a single mom of three making minimum wage, Melissa is eligible to receive the full amount of her tax credit: $9,600 ($3,600 + [$3,000 x 2]). She’ll get $800 per month until the end of the year—totaling $4,800 ($800 x 6). Next year, she’ll get the remaining credit—$4,800 more—as a refund or an offset to taxes owed when she files her 2021 tax return.

Jon is the head of the household he shares with his partner, and he makes more than the AGI limit of $112,500. Since the credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 earned over the income limit, he will receive $13,700 ([$3,600 x 3] + $3,000 – [$50 x 2]). He’ll get about $1,140 per month until the end of the year—meaning he’ll receive $6,850 this year in monthly payments, and $6,850 as a refund or an offset to taxes owed when he files his 2021 taxes.

Carrie and Sam are married and file their taxes jointly. They make less than the AGI limit for joint households, so they will receive the full amount for their only daughter: $3,000. They’ll get $250 per month until the end of the year—which comes up to $1,500 in monthly payments in 2021, and $1,500 as a refund or an offset to taxes owed when they file their 2021 taxes return. 

When and how will I get my CTC payments?

The advance monthly payments start on July 15, 2021 and arrive by either direct deposit or check, depending on what banking info the IRS has on file for you. You can change your delivery method—and the number of your dependents if you’re expecting a baby in 2021—through the IRS portal. 

How this program can help families

Never before has a federal program provided this much cash support to low- and middle-income families. And when combined with other major pieces in the American Rescue Plan, it’s expected to reduce childhood poverty by half and include 27 million children in the bottom 20% of the nation’s income distribution.³

Read more: 5 wise ways to use your Child Tax Credit payments

What do the CTC payments mean for your family? It could mean finally catching up on monthly bills, opening an emergency savings account, reducing debt, starting a college or daycare fund, funding a side hustle, or having enough to make a down payment on a home or car—all worthwhile goals that can make a world of difference in your financial confidence and your family’s well-being.