The Internal Revenue Service has started sending letters to American families who, based on tax returns filed with the agency, may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments.

Quick view facts

• The IRS is determining potential eligibility using information from either the 2020 tax returns, the 2019 tax returns if the 2020 has not completed processing, or from information from those taxpayers who used the Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov last year to register for an Economic Impact Payment.
• Families who are eligible for advance Child Tax Credit payments will receive a subsequent second personalized letter listing an estimate of their monthly payment.
• The payment will be up to $300 per month for each qualifying child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each qualifying child ages 6 to 17.
• Payments are set to start July 15, 2021.
• Additional payments will be issued Aug. 13, Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.
• Payments will be issued either by direct deposit or check.
• Taxpayers will be able to unenroll or opt-out of receiving these advanced payments shortly, to receive the credit in full on their 2021 individual income tax return instead or if they know that they are not eligible due to changes since filing.

For more details, see the IRS Press release.

Eligible families should file tax returns soon

The IRS urges individuals and families who haven’t yet filed their 2020 return – or 2019 return – to do so as soon as possible so they can receive any advance payment they’re eligible for.

Filing soon will also ensure that the IRS has their most current banking information, as well as key details about qualifying children.

For most people, the fastest and easiest way to file a return is by using the Free File system, available only on IRS.gov. For more filing options, see our Filing Returns Get Help pages.

However, for taxpayers that normally are not required to file (according to the Chart A, B, or C in the Form 1040 instructions) only, IRS has a special Non-Filer: Submit Your Information tool. The IRS will use the information input into the tool to determine eligibility for advanced CTC payments, and if qualified, automatically issue those. Make sure you review all the information on the tool page about “Who should use this tool’ before using it.

More tools and information coming

Throughout the summer, the IRS will be adding additional tools and online resources to help taxpayers with the advance Child Tax Credit.

For the most up-to-date information on the Child Tax Credit and advance payments, go to the IRS.gov Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021 page, which now has answers to frequently asked questions.

Additional resources:

TAS

•  TAS Advance Child Tax Credit Payment Get Help page 
• TAS Tax Tips: Free help for families to get Advance Child Tax Credit Payments and Economic Impact Payments
• TAS Tax Tips: Does the IRS have your information on file? If not, see if you should use the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool
• TAS Tax Tips: Beware of scammers offering help with getting advanced child tax credit payments

IRS

• Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021 | Spanish │ Chinese-Simplified │ Chinese-Traditional │ Korean | Russian │ Vietnamese | Haitian Creole
• Questions and Answers About the Advance Child Tax Credit Payments |Spanish
• 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments: Resources and Guidance |Spanish
• Check if you may be eligible for the advance child tax credit payments |Spanish
• Child Tax Credit Update Portal
• Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool | Spanish