The American Rescue Act implemented a significant change in the Child Tax Credit available from the Internal Revenue Service. This included an expansion of who is eligible for the credit, a significant increase in the amount of the credit, and changes in how the credit is paid out to families.

Beginning in July 2021, the credits can be disbursed monthly, with payments to qualifying households in Pennsylvania of $250 or $300 per child (depending on child’s age), through December 2021. Eligible federal tax filers are already receiving these payments. 

However, many eligible parents and other caretakers who do not routinely file federal income tax returns are not receiving the monthly credit payments. Those who do not file tax returns have to sign up to receive the monthly Advanced Child Tax Crdit payments and the deadline for signing up to receive the benefits this year is NOVEMBER 15, 2021.

The U. S. govenment has collaborated with a non-profit, Code for America, who has created a non-filer sign-up tool that is easy to use on a mobile phone and also available in Spanish. This tool is available at https://www.getctc.org/. 

Most families are already signed up! If you’ve filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up with the Non-Filer tool last year to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you will get the monthly Child Tax Credit automatically. You do not need to sign up or take any action.

If you aren’t already signed up, you can still sign up to get the Child Tax Credit. You won’t lose your benefits if you do. These payments do not count as income for any family.  So, signing up won’t affect your eligibility for other federal benefits like SNAP and WIC.

You are also eligible to apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit, also known as stimulus payments, as part of this process. You can also use the tool to receive missing stimulus payments, whether or not you have children.

Here’s a list of things you will need to complete the process.

• Social Security Social Security numbers for your children and Social Security Numbers (or ITIN) for you and your spouse
• A reliable mailing address
• E-mail address or phone number
• Your bank account information (if you want to receive your payment by direct deposit).

If you are eligible for the Child Tax Credit but don’t sign up for advance monthly payments by the November 15 deadline, you can still claim the full credit of up to $3,600 per child by filing your taxes next year, but to get the money now to help cope with you monthly expenses sign up NOW!

SIGN UP FOR ADVANCED CHILD TAX CREDIT

More Information:

• Child Tax Credit for Non-Filers (The White House)
• Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021 (IRS)
• IRS updates 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments Frequently Asked Questions