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Families can still enroll to receive the advance Child Tax Credit payments or change their information with the IRS. Families can use the CTC update portal to check their eligibility for advance payments or payment status, change their address or bank account information, and opt out of advance payments. If a married couple filed jointly, they must each make their own account and make any updates in both accounts. The ability to add children born in 2021 is not available.

What do families need to do?

• To see if you are eligible to receive these payments, use the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant.
• To change how/where your payments arrive, visit the Child Tax Credit Update Portal.
• If you did not file a tax return in 2019 or 2020, use the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool to trigger monthly payments.
• Only use the official tools at irs.gov to share your personal information. The IRS will distribute payments without charge and will never contact you via text or email.

Getting Ready for Next Tax Season

Families who are receiving advance CTC payments must file a tax return next year to receive the other half of the Child Tax Credit. Families will receive a letter from the IRS in January 2022 that has the total amount of advance payments they received. This letter can be used when preparing their taxes to make sure they received the correct amounts for the advance payments. Any missed payments can be claimed on their 2021 tax return.

The tax season will run from January-April, and families can make an appointment for free tax preparation by calling 2-1-1 in mid-January 2022.

Contact

Just Harvest is available answer questions over phone and email, at 412.431.8960 (choose the tax help option), or at taxhelp@justharvest.org. Individual appointments are available until November 15th, 2021.