What You Need to Know About the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC)

There were some important changes to the Child Tax Credit last year that you should know when filing your taxes in 2022.

2021 Child Tax Credit payments are available to all caregivers. If you have dependents and you file your taxes you will receive money back per each dependent. You do not have to have any earned income. The eligibility requirements differ based on your income and number of dependents.

People who are eligible for the full 2021 Child Tax Credit:

• Income up to $150,000 for a person who is married and filing a joint return, or
• Income up to $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called Head of Household), or
• Income of to $75,000 for a single filer or a person who is married and filing a separate return.

How much will I receive? 

Eligible parents and guardians receive a maximum of $3,000 for each qualifying child who was between the ages of 6 and 17 at the end of 2021. Eligible parents and guardians of qualifying children younger than age 6 at the end of 2021 receive a maximum credit of $3,600 per child. 

Half of the total Child Tax Credits were mailed out last year for qualifying families. 

Which children are eligible? 

• Each child must have lived with you for more than half of 2021; 
• Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien; 
• Dependents must be age 17 or under by December 31, 2021; 
• Dependent must be your own child, adopted child, stepchild, or foster child. You can also claim a sibling, step-sibling, half-sibling, or a descendent of any of them (including a niece, nephew, or grandchild);
• Child must not have paid more than half their own expenses; and
• If you had a newborn or adopted any children in 2021 you will receive the full amount when you file your 2021 taxes before April 18, 2022. 

Can ITIN holders receive the CTC? 

Yes! Caregivers with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or social security card are both eligible for the Child Tax Credit. Children claimed must have a Social Security Number. Receiving the Child Tax Credit will not affect your immigration status. 

Letters 6419

You should have received a letter in the mail (Letters 6419) which states the amount you received in 2021 from the Child Tax Credit. If you did not receive this letter or if it’s lost you can check irs.gov for the information. If you are married and each spouse received a letter that reflects half of the amount that the family received in advance you must add together the amounts reflected in both spouses’ letters, or if you moved or changed bank accounts in December 2021, your last monthly payment may have been returned to the IRS after the Letters 6419 were sent. 

If your child is not a qualifying child for the Child Tax Credit, you may be able to claim the $500 Credit for Other Dependents for that child when you file 2021 your tax return. Visit childtaxcredit.gov or your online account at irs.gov for more information. 

To learn more about tax credits that could benefit your family, view our full Guide to Tax Deductions.