2021 Child Tax Credit


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The temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit in 2021 provided financial relief for millions of families through automatic monthly payments. Families with eligible children under the age of 18 can still receive up to $3,600 per child – but only if they file a 2021 tax return!

If you need to file your taxes:

There is still time to claim the Child Tax Credit. Our team of IRS-certified tax preparers can help you file your return for FREE from June 14 to October 15, 2022 at two locations:

  • Prosper Center – North: 5900 Airport Blvd Austin, TX 78752
  • Prosper Center – South: 2900 S IH 35 Svc Rd Austin, TX 78704

Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome at both sites during open hours:

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12pm-6pm
  • Saturdays (June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15) from 9am-1pm
  • BONUS DAYS: Wednesday – June 15 and Oct. 12 from 12pm-6pm

Families are eligible for thousands of dollars through the expanded Child Tax Credit. If you don’t file a 2021 tax return, you will miss out on getting up to $3,600 per child.

Most families automatically received half of the Child Tax Credit through monthly payments in 2021. Don’t forget to file your 2021 tax return in 2022 to claim the second half of your Child Tax Credit. Eligible families that did not receive the IRS provided monthly payments in 2021 can still claim the full Child Tax Credit amount when you file your 2021 tax return in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Tax Credit

How much can I get?

  • The credit amount for eligible dependent children is $3,000 per child between the ages of 6 and 17 and $3,600 per child for children under age 6.
  • Families that received the first half in 2021 will need to claim the other half of the 2021 Child Tax Credit by filing your tax return in 2022. Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome at both of our Prosper Centers during open hours. See above for our hours of operation.
  • You can use this calculator to estimate your 2021 Child Tax Credit amount: https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/602334/2021-child-tax-credit-calculator

Who qualifies?

  • The adult filing taxes must have a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and children in the family must:
    • – Have a Social Security number,
    • – Live with you for at least half of the year,
    • – Be under age 18 as of December 31, 2021, and
    • – Be claimed on your tax return.
  • The maximum credit is available to taxpayers with an annual income below:
    • – $75,000 for singles,
    • – $112,500 for heads of household, and
    • – $150,000 for married couples filing a joint return and qualified widows and widowers.
  • The credit gradually decreases as income increases above these amounts.

What if I don’t know if I’m eligible?

How do I claim the Child Tax Credit?

  • You need to file your 2021 tax return to claim the Child Tax Credit. If you received monthly CTC payments from July to December 2021, you still need to file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of your Child Tax Credit.
  • If you did not receive monthly CTC payments from July to December 2021, you may still be eligible for the Child Tax Credit by filing your 2021 tax return.

What if I do not have a tax filing requirement?

  • Even if you don’t have a filling requirement you will need to file a 2021 tax return to receive the Child Tax Credit.

I received advance payments; do I need to report it on my tax return?

  • No, the Child Tax Credit payment is not considered income and does not need to be reported as income on your tax return.
  • Although the CTC is not counted as income, in order to receive the second half, you do need to file a tax return and report how much you received in advance.
  • The IRS will send you Letter 6419 in January 2022, that tells you the total amount of advance payments sent to you in 2021. Use this letter when filing your tax return, you will need to refer to this notice to claim your remaining CTC.

Will receiving the Child Tax Credit affect other benefits I receive?

  • No, the Child Tax Credit payment is not considered income. Therefore, it will not affect the amount you receive from other Federal benefits (like SSI, SSDI, SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, TANF, Section 8, or Public Housing).

How can I get help filing my taxes for free?

  • From June 14 to October 15, 2022, our team of IRS-certified tax preparers can help you file your return for FREE at our Prosper North or Prosper South location. Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome at both sites during open hours!

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