MILLIONS of Americans will continue to get child tax credit payments for the rest of 2021 under President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
The purpose of the bill – which was signed by Biden in March – is to help families get by and to bring the US economy back to health after Covid.
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How much is the 2021 child tax credit?
Most taxpayers have previously been able to reduce their federal income tax bill by up to $2,000 per child.
However, under the new law, families can get an increased tax break of $3,000 for every child aged six to 17 for the 2021 tax year only.
While you can get $3,600 for every child under the age of six.
Additionally, those with dependents between the ages of 18 and 24 who are enrolled in college full-time can receive $500 for each.
Every household with children that qualified for the latest $1,400 stimulus check is set to receive the child credit cash.
The maximum credit is available to taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of:
- $75,000 or less for singles,
- $112,500 or less for heads of household and
- $150,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return and qualified widows and widowers.
If you earn more than this, the extra amount above the original $2,000 credit — either $1,000 or $1,600 per child — is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 in modified AGI.
Combined with the $1,400 checks and other items, the act aims to reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.
Who’s eligible for child tax credit?
MOST families are eligible for CTC, as long as the children are either a US citizen, US national, or a so-called US resident alien.
The children must also have lived with the person who’s claiming for more than half of the tax year and be claimed as a dependent on the tax return.
This can be a son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister, but may also be a grandchild, niece or nephew.
You can check if you’re eligible for the credit by using an IRS online tool.
To use it, you’ll need to know your filing status, whether you can claim the person as a dependent and the person’s date of birth.
When will I get 2021 child tax credit?
The payments are automatically set to arrive monthly until December.
So far, most qualifying parents should have gotten payments for July, August, September and October – worth up to $1,200 per child.
The remaining advance payments will be paid on November 15 and December 15, with the other half given out next year.
Typically, the monthly checks of $250 to $300 per child are sent out in the middle of each month unless you opt out.
If you do opt out, keep in mind you’ll then only receive the lump sum in 2022 after the IRS processes your 2021 tax return.
The full payment will arrive with your tax refund, or it could be used to offset any taxes you owe.
As of now, the credit is set to expire in 2022, unless extended.
President Biden has called to extend the child tax credit payments until at least 2025 – but he will need help from Congress.
Senate Democrats were considering a three-year extension of the maximum $3,600 per child credit earlier this year.
However, as of the latest White House proposal, the credits could be extended for just one more year.
We explain what parents who share joint custody of kids need to know about child tax credit payments.
Plus, we round up eight ways to get help with childcare costs.
Meanwhile, there are some who might still be owed plus-up payments.
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