How does Child Tax Credit work?

File your taxes and claim the child tax credit for 2020 by May 17, 2021 . You can use a special “look-back” rule to file on the basis of your 2019 income to help you compensate for income changes or loss caused by the COVID pandemic. To qualify, a child or dependent must be a US citizen or resident and have a Social Security number. They also must have lived with you for over half the year. You can claim your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, grandchild, or great-grandchild. If you have siblings, step-siblings, or half-siblings that live with you, you can also claim them. If you qualify, the government mails your refund or deposits it into your bank account. If you file your CTC claims online, choose to get your refund by direct deposit and if no issues are found with your return, you can expect to get your refund by the first week of March.

Am I eligible for Child Tax Credit?

To be eligible for Child Tax Credit, you should be able to answer yes to these questions: Do you have a child or dependent who is under 17 years old and has a Social Security Number? Is your dependent a US citizen, a US national, or a permanent resident? Has your dependent lived with you for over half of the year? Is your dependent claimed on your tax return?

How do I Apply to Child Tax Credit?

File your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep. Go to nyc.gov/taxprep to learn more. If you earn $68,000 or less (with children) or $48,000 or less (without children), you may qualify to have your taxes prepared for free through drop-off service or in person at one of the tax prep locations near you . To claim your CTC, you must file Form 1040 , or Form 1040NR .

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

1. How it Works

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) allows people with qualifying children to reduce their federal income tax by up to $2000. It is partially refundable.

File your taxes and claim the child tax credit for 2020 by May 17, 2021.
- You can use a special “look-back” rule to file on the basis of your 2019 income to help you compensate for income changes or loss caused by the COVID pandemic.
To qualify, a child or dependent must be a US citizen or resident and have a Social Security number. They also must have lived with you for over half the year.
You can claim your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, grandchild, or great-grandchild.
If you have siblings, step-siblings, or half-siblings that live with you, you can also claim them.
If you qualify, the government mails your refund or deposits it into your bank account.
If you file your CTC claims online, choose to get your refund by direct deposit and if no issues are found with your return, you can expect to get your refund by the first week of March.

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

To be eligible for Child Tax Credit, you should be able to answer yes to these questions:

Do you have a child or dependent who is under 17 years old and has a Social Security Number?
Is your dependent a US citizen, a US national, or a permanent resident?
Has your dependent lived with you for over half of the year?
Is your dependent claimed on your tax return?

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

If you want to receive your refund through direct deposit, you will need banking information (voided check and/or savings deposit slip). You should bring a copy of last year’s return, if it is available. The income documents listed are necessary to file your taxes.

For each person applying, any one document:

Driver license or official photo ID
Social Security Card for dependents
Social Security Card or ITIN

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

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Tax relief for parents