Time is running out!
Thanks to the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, the 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) is available to help NYC families afford the everyday expenses of raising a child throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have children 17 years of age or younger and have not received advance CTC payments this year, you may be able to claim half of your annual CTC—worth up to $3,600 per child—as advance monthly payments in 2021. Families whose first payment is in November will receive up to $900 per child in November and December 2021. Families whose first (and only) payment is in December will be up to $1,800 per child.
If you have yet to receive payments this year and have not filed a 2020 tax return, we encourage you to sign up before November 15, 2021 in order to receive your advance CTC payment in 2021. Note that in order to receive the other half of your CTC, you will need to file a tax return in 2022.
Families who do not receive advance CTC payments in 2021 can claim their full credit amount by filing a 2021 tax return in 2022.
Qualifying for the Child Tax Credit
You can claim the CTC even if you have no income or do not file taxes normally. The CTC will not affect other benefits. Parents do not need a Social Security number, but children aged 17 years old or younger must have one to qualify.
Claiming Your Child Tax Credit
If you haven’t received CTC advance payments in 2021, you have two ways to claim your tax credit:
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- File a 2020 tax return. Visit New York City’s official Child Tax Credit webpage to schedule tax help with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance preparer through NYC Free Tax Prep. Virtual, drop-off, and in-person help options are available.
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- Sign up to receive payments at GetCTC.org/nyc. You should only use this tool if you are NOT required to fill out a 2020 tax return because your annual income is below $18,650 for single individuals with dependents or $24,800 for married couples.
If you filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return or used the IRS Non-Filer Tool to sign up for stimulus payments, no further action is needed to receive your advance CTC payments. To check whether you’re enrolled for advance payments or to update your bank account and mailing address, visit the IRS Child Tax Credit Update Portal.
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For more information about advance CTC payments, including frequently asked questions, visit the City’s official Child Tax Credit webpage, or call 311.
Remember; families who have not received advance CTC deposits this year should claim their payments by November 15, 2021, so verify your status, and put some cash in your family’s pocket today!
Banner photo by Emma Bauso. Used under Creative Commons license. Original can be found on Pexels.
