The Child Tax Credit was expanded in 2021, but has since expired. Many families received advance payments in 2021 and are wondering if they can still get the remaining amount owed. Here is what you need to know about getting any leftover Child Tax Credit from 2021.
What was the expanded Child Tax Credit in 2021?
For tax year 2021, the Child Tax Credit was temporarily expanded to:
- Increase the maximum credit amount to $3,600 per child under age 6 and $3,000 per child age 6 to 17.
- Make the credit fully refundable so low-income families could get the full value.
- Pay half the credit amount in advance monthly payments from July to December 2021.
This meant families with children under age 18 could get up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $250 per month for each child age 6 to 17. The rest of the credit amount was then claimed when filing a 2021 tax return.
Why did I only get half the Child Tax Credit in 2021?
As mentioned, the expanded Child Tax Credit paid half the amount in monthly payments during 2021. These advance payments were estimated based on your 2019 or 2020 tax returns. So you would only get the remaining half when you filed your 2021 tax return.
For example, if you had a 3-year-old child, you could get a maximum Child Tax Credit of $3,600 for 2021. Half of that, or $1,800, would be paid in $300 monthly payments. The other $1,800 credit amount would come as a refund or reduction of taxes owed when you filed your 2021 return.
Can I still get the remaining Child Tax Credit?
Yes, if you received less than the full Child Tax Credit amount in 2021 advance payments, you can still get the remaining amount by claiming the Child Tax Credit on your 2021 tax return.
When you complete your 2021 return, there will be a line to claim the remaining Child Tax Credit based on your family details. This will either increase your tax refund or reduce the amount of tax you owe.
When can I claim the remaining Child Tax Credit?
You can claim any remaining Child Tax Credit when you file your 2021 tax return. The deadline to file your federal tax return is April 18, 2022.
To get the credit as quickly as possible, file your return as soon as you have all the needed tax documents, like W-2s and 1099s. Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit can also speed up your refund.
Do I have to file a tax return to get the credit?
Yes, you must file a 2021 federal income tax return to claim any remaining Child Tax Credit, even if you don’t normally file a return. The IRS needs your 2021 details to calculate the amount of credit you are eligible for.
What if I didn’t get any Child Tax Credit payments in 2021?
If you didn’t receive any advance Child Tax Credit payments during 2021, you may still be eligible to claim the full credit amount when you file your 2021 return.
Reasons you may not have received payments include:
- You did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax return so the IRS did not know to send you payments
- You gained a qualifying child in 2021 so the IRS did not have your current family details
- You did not use the Child Tax Credit non-filer sign-up tool last year to register for payments
As long as you meet the eligibility requirements based on your 2021 details, you can get the full Child Tax Credit amount by filing a tax return and claiming the credit.
Who is eligible for the remaining Child Tax Credit?
To claim any remaining Child Tax Credit when you file your 2021 return, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You had a qualifying child under age 18 at the end of 2021 who lived with you for at least six months of the year
- Your child had a valid Social Security number
- Your income met the requirements (details below)
Your child must also meet the relationship, citizenship, and residency requirements for you to claim them as a dependent.
Income limits for Child Tax Credit
To qualify for the full credit amount, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must have been below:
| Filing Status | Full Credit Limit |
| Single | $75,000 |
| Head of Household | $112,500 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $150,000 |
| Married Filing Separately | $75,000 |
If your income was higher, the credit phases out by $50 for every $1,000 over those amounts.
How much Child Tax Credit can I claim?
Assuming you meet the eligibility requirements, the Child Tax Credit amounts you can claim on your 2021 tax return are:
- $3,600 per child under age 6 at the end of 2021
- $3,000 per child age 6 to 17 at end of 2021
Then you subtract any advance monthly payments you already received for that child last year. The result is the remaining amount you can claim on your tax return.
You can check your total advance payments received using the IRS Child Tax Credit Update Portal.
Will I owe money back if I got too much in advance?
No, you will not have to pay back any excess advance payments you received based on your 2021 details. If you received more than you qualify for based on your 2021 income and family details, the excess amount just reduces how much credit you can claim on your return.
Can I still get the monthly Child Tax Credit payments?
No, the increased Child Tax Credit and monthly advance payments expired at the end of 2021. For 2022, the Child Tax Credit has reverted to the previous amount of up to $2,000 per child under age 17.
Unless Congress acts to extend it, the Child Tax Credit will remain at the lower $2,000 amount for 2022 and there will be no monthly payments. You would need to claim the full credit when filing your 2022 tax return.
What if my family details changed since I received payments?
If your family details like income, marital status, or number of qualifying children changed in 2021 after you started receiving advance payments, those changes could affect the amount of credit you actually qualify for.
That’s why it’s important to claim the Child Tax Credit on your 2021 tax return – so your credit amount can be reconciled and adjusted based on your full 2021 details.
Do the payments I got last year reduce my refund?
The advance payments you received do not directly reduce your refund. However, they do reduce the amount of Child Tax Credit you can claim on your 2021 return.
For example, if you qualify for a $3,000 credit based on your 2021 tax return but received $1,500 in advance payments during 2021, you can only claim the remaining $1,500 on your return. This may result in a lower refund than if you had claimed the full $3,000 credit.
Does the credit add to my taxable income?
No, the Child Tax Credit does not count as income or get added to your gross income on your tax return. So it does not directly impact the amount of tax you owe or increase your tax liability.
Could my tax refund be seized to repay debts?
In most cases, no. The Child Tax Credit is generally protected from garnishment by creditors or debt collectors. Any remaining credit you claim when filing your 2021 return should not be reduced or seized to pay child support, past due taxes, or other debts.
There are some exceptions if you owe federal taxes or student loans. But for most, the Child Tax Credit refund remains protected.
Conclusion
The expanded Child Tax Credit provided valuable financial assistance to millions of families in 2021. While the advance monthly payments have ended, many can still claim the remaining amount owed by filing a 2021 federal tax return.
As long as you meet the income limits and have a qualifying child, claim any leftover credit that the IRS did not pay out in monthly installments last year. This can provide a significant boost to your tax refund or reduce taxes owed for families who got less than the full amount in 2021 payments.