This tool can help families who don't typically file taxes register for the monthly child tax credit
The Biden administration is pushing for more families to obtain the government's new expanded child tax credit, which will start paying out monthly in July to families with children who are 17 years old and younger.
As part of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, eligible families can receive as much as $3,600 for each child under the age of 6. The tax credit will be $3,000 annually per child between the ages of 6 and 17.
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have created an online tool to help families who normally aren't required to file an income tax return to register for the credit.
"Our goal is to make sure that every American can get the relief funding they need as simply as possible," Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen said. "We know working families can't put off paying for doctor's visits or grocery bills, and this new tool will help more people get their tax credit every month."
Here's how it works
The Treasure Department says the non-filer sign-up tool is for people who did not file an income tax return for 2019 or 2020 and did not use the IRS non-filers tool last year to register for stimulus payments.
The tool enables users to quickly provide information about themselves and their qualifying children age 17 and under. Users can also choose to enter direct deposit bank information so the IRS can deposit the payments directly into their checking or savings account.
The payments are to be made monthly, a first for the program. People can register for the program even if they did not fully file their taxes.
The program is slated to expire after one year, though Biden has proposed extending it through 2025 with the ultimate goal of making it permanent.
Information you will need to give
- Full name
- Current mailing address
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Valid social security numbers (or other taxpayer IDs) for you and your dependents
- Bank account number, type and routing number, if you have one
- Identity protection personal identification number you received from the IRS earlier this year if you have one.
Eligible individuals who filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return or used the IRS' non-filers tool last year do not need to take any action to receive their advance child tax credit payments.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.