U.S. Department of the Treasury

The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit and expanded its coverage to better assist families who care for children.

Overview

The American Rescue Plan’s expansion of the Child Tax Credit will reduced child poverty by (1) supplementing the earnings of families receiving the tax credit, and (2) making the credit available to a significant number of new families. Specifically, the Child Tax Credit was revised in the following ways for 2021:

• The credit amount was increased for 2021. The American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for qualifying children under age 6, and $3,000 for other qualifying children under age 18.
• The credit was made fully refundable. By making the Child Tax Credit fully refundable, low- income households will be entitled to receive the full credit benefit, as significantly expanded and increased by the American Rescue Plan.
• The credit’s scope has been expanded. The American Rescue Plan allowed 17-year-olds to qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Previously, only children 16 and younger qualified.
• Many eligible taxpayers received monthly advance payments of half of their estimated 2021 Child Tax Credit amounts during 2021 from July through December. Families caring for children were able to receive financial assistance on a consistent monthly basis from July to December 2021, instead of waiting until tax filing season to receive all of their Child Tax Credit benefits.

Get this year's expanded Child Tax Credit

File your taxes to get your full Child Tax Credit — now through April 18, 2022. Get help filing your taxes and find more information about the 2021 Child Tax Credit.

In addition, the American Rescue Plan extended the full Child Tax Credit permanently to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories. For the first time, low- income families residing in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories will receive this vital financial assistance to better support their children’s development and health and educational attainment.

learn more about the expanded child tax credit

Recent Updates

• New and Improved ChildTaxCredit.gov
  • This website exists to help people:
    • Get the Child Tax Credit
    • Understand how the 2021 Child Tax Credit works
    • Find out if they are eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit
    • Understand that the credit does not affect their federal benefits
    • Code for America partnered with The White House and the Treasury Department to create a website and mobile-friendly tool, in English and Spanish, to assist families claiming their Child Tax Credit and missing Economic Impact Payments.
    • The GetCTC tool is currently closed for the season, but you can access information about the Child Tax Credit on the website.
    • Community organizations and volunteer navigators seeking to help hard-to-reach clients access the Child Tax Credit or Economic Impact Payments can access training materials and resources on the navigator website.
    • Most families will automatically start receiving the new monthly Child Tax Credit payments on July 15th.
    • Families who normally aren’t required to file an income tax return should use this Non-Filers Tool to register quickly for the expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan.
    • Use this tool to:
      • Check if you’re enrolled to receive payments
      • Unenroll to stop getting advance payments
      • Provide or update your bank account information for monthly payments starting with the August payment
      • Check if you may qualify for advance payments.

      Spread the word

      • Key Messaging about the Child Tax Credit
      • Child Tax Credit Toolkit: Download all CTC Info Sheets and Social Media slides
        • Info Sheet: How Has the CTC Changed This Year
        • Info Sheet: How to Make Sure You Get the CTC Payment
        • Info Sheet: The Expanded Child Tax Credit: Explained
        • Social Media slides: How Has the CTC Changed This Year
        • Social Media slides: How to Make Sure You Get the CTC Payment

        RESOURCES

        • Child Tax Credit FAQs
        • Child Tax Credit Press Release
        • Economic Impact Payment Info
        • Need to file a tax return? Find free options and information here