Child tax credit expansion 2021: See how much money you’ll get for each kid

If you’ve got a newborn baby or even a 17-year-old, you could get the first of seven child tax credit checks in July. (If you’ve got an older kid in college, you could get up to $500.) Half of the child credits will arrive from July to December unless you opt out of the monthly payments — the rest of the money will arrive in 2022.

The IRS payment schedule combined with the rules around who qualifies and child age brackets can get pretty complex. For example, if your adjusted gross income for 2021 is above a specified amount, you’ll get less money for your kids each month. Parents who share custody of kids also have set rules, and parents of 2021 babies have other important details to know. CNET’s child tax credit can help you estimate the total you could get each month.

Don’t worry, if you’ve already filed your taxes, you shouldn’t need to file an amended tax form (track your tax status with the IRS). The IRS is still sending stimulus checks and plus-up payments, but will soon be able to focus on the child tax credit payment details. While you’re here, see if your state owes you money and how some could save up to $50,000 on their taxes this year. Here’s what we know about a fourth check, how the next stimulus bill could benefit you and student loan forgiveness. This story has been updated.

 

See your personal payment estimate with our 2021 child tax credit calculator

The new child tax credit raises the 2020 limits from up to $2,000 per child to a maximum of $3,600 — but the math gets complicated fast. Qualified children aged 5 and under count for $3,600. Kids between 6 and 17 years old count for $3,000 maximum per child; 18-year-olds and full-time college students 24 and under can bring parents a one-time $500 payment.

Enter your details below, including your adjusted gross income, or AGI, to see your payment breakdown. This calculator does not store or use your data. The results are based on our current knowledge of the law and should be treated as broad estimates only (the IRS will determine the final amount). We suggest consulting a financial professional for a more personalized estimate.

Note: If your AGI is less than or equal to $75,000 as a single filer, $112,500 as a head of household or $150,000 filing jointly, you’ll receive the full amount. For incomes higher than $150,000, your child tax credit payments will begin to phase out by $50 for every $1,000 of income over the threshold.

Can parents opt out of the monthly payments?

If you’d rather receive your 2021 child tax credit money as one large payment, you’ll be able to opt out of monthly payments once the IRS opens the online portal to help you make that decision and input other information, like if your AGI or other changed circumstances. The IRS is expected to open its child tax credit website by July 1.

Opting out would mean that instead of receiving $300 per month for your 3-year-old, and the remainder of your money in 2022 for example, you can wait until you file your taxes next year to claim the full $3,600 amount.

What to know if your dependent ages out of a payment bracket this year

If you have a 5-year-old turning 6 by the end of the year, the total payment amount you could get for that child is $3,000. If you have a 17-year-old who turns 18 before the end of the year, you would receive $500 total for that dependent instead of $3,000.

Here’s more information about qualifications your child must meet for you to receive advance payments. Also, if you have a dependent who is a full-time college student and turns 25 this year, you won’t receive any payment for them.

Parents of 2021 newborns: Key child tax credit details to know

Children born in 2021 make you eligible for the 2021 tax credit of $3,600 per child (that’s up to $7,200 for twins). That’s on top of payments for any other qualified child dependents you claim. Here’s our guide for parents of 2021 babies, including what parents of adopted infants should know.

Don’t forget these overpayment and income details

Your family’s eligibility is determined in large part by your adjusted gross income. So what happens if you get a new job or start making more money in 2021? What happens if the payments have already gone out and you spent the money?

The IRS has a plan for this, a child tax credit portal the agency will make available by July 1 so you can update your information. If you need to make an adjustment, it will lower the payment amounts you’d receive if your new income reaches the phaseout level, according to Garrett Watson, a senior policy analyst at Tax Foundation.

If you wait until 2022 to update your information when you file your taxes and you continue to receive the full amount based on your lower income, you would either have to return the excess money on your 2021 tax return next spring, according to Watson, accept a smaller 2021 refund or owe more in taxes.

 

Can your 2020 tax return affect your child tax credit amount?

You need to file your 2020 taxes to get the credit if you’re a nonfiler. The IRS will automatically make the payments for those who have their taxes filed by the May 17 tax due date, the IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig said. So if you don’t have your tax return submitted by this time, the IRS won’t know to send you a payment. Also, if you plan to file a tax extension, you’ll likely be able to use the IRS portal, where you can update your information in case you’ve gained dependents since the last tax filing.

Additional eligibility rules your dependents have to meet

There are some specific rules regarding qualifications not just for parents and caregivers, but for the children, too. Here’s what to know about dependent qualifications for the child tax credit. And here’s how you could get up to $50,000 back through one-time credits and benefits.