Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit Rules:
What You Need To Know

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WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

How To Qualify For The Child Tax Credit

Eligibility Requirements

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To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, taxpayers must meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements include having a valid Social Security Number (SSN) for themselves and their qualifying child, being a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire tax year, and having a qualifying child who is under the age of 16 at the end of the tax year. Additionally, the child must live with the taxpayer for more than half of the tax year, not provide more than half of their own support & not be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

How to Prove Eligibility​

To prove eligibility for the Child Tax Credit, taxpayers must provide documentation such as the child’s birth certificate or adoption papers, as well as a valid SSN for the child. Taxpayers may also need to provide proof of citizenship or residency, as well as proof of the child’s relationship to the taxpayer and proof of the child’s residence.

How to Claim the Credit

Claiming the Child Tax Credit on a tax return is a straightforward process. Taxpayers should indicate on their tax return that they have a qualifying child and provide the necessary information, such as the child’s name, SSN and relationship to the taxpayer. Taxpayers should also provide information on their income, as the credit amount may be reduced or phased out for higher-income taxpayers. It’s important to note that the credit is non-refundable, which means that it can reduce the taxpayer’s tax liability to zero but cannot result in a refund.

Child Tax Credit Amount (How Much Refund Per Child)

A. How the Credit Amount is Calculated

The Child Tax Credit amount is based on a variety of factors, including the number of qualifying children, the taxpayer’s income, and the amount of taxes owed. The credit amount is generally calculated at a rate of $2,000 per qualifying child, but it may be reduced or phased out for higher-income taxpayers.

The maximum credit amount per child is $2,000 and the credit starts to phase out for single filers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) over $75,000 and for married filers with AGI over $150,000. Depending on earned income and income levels some taxpayers may qualify for the full child tax credit while others will receive a partial credit.

B. Maximum Credit

The maximum credit amount per child is $2,000 for the 2021 tax year, it means that taxpayers can claim a credit of up to $2,000 for each qualifying child. However, the amount of the credit may be reduced or phased out for taxpayers with higher incomes. The refundable portion of the child tax credit is $1,540. during the pandemic in tax year 2021 the American rescue plan act expanded child tax credit to $3,000 for children ages 6-17 and $3,600 for children under 6, this additional child tax credit was only for 2021.

C. How to Maximize the Credit

To maximize the Child Tax Credit, taxpayers should ensure they meet all of the eligibility requirements, provide all necessary documentation to prove their eligibility and make sure to claim the credit on their tax return. Unlike 2021 taxpayers will need to have earned income in 2022 to claim child tax credit for the tax year.

Additionally, taxpayers should consider strategies such as timing income or making charitable donations to lower their taxable income and increase their credit amount. It is also important to consult a tax professional to ensure that you are maximizing your credit and staying compliant with tax laws.

Child Tax Credit Payments (Monthly Payments)

The Child Tax Credit in 2021 allowed eligible taxpayers to receive monthly payments for a portion of the credit amount. These payments, known as the “Advance Child Tax Credit,” were designed to assist taxpayers who may have difficulty paying their taxes in one lump sum. To request monthly payments, taxpayers were required to indicate on their tax return that they wish to receive the Advance Child Tax Credit.

The monthly payment amount was calculated based on the taxpayer’s estimated credit amount and was typically sent to the taxpayer on a regular basis, such as monthly or twice per month. To receive these monthly payments, the taxpayer had to have a valid social security number for themselves and their qualifying child and must file their tax return before the deadline. Note that the advance payments in 2021 would stop if the taxpayer no longer qualified for the credit or if they didn’t file their tax return on time.

Easy Advance*

Beginning in January, you can get an instant tax refund advance up to $6,000 at M & M Tax Service. Yes that’s right; tax refund loans are available this year! With the IRS announcing they will be holding tax refunds of early tax return filers who have children until February 15th or later, you may need this money now. Many times we see people that count on their early season tax refund check to catch them up on their bills after the holidays. Learn more about our Easy Advance*.

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* To be eligible for the $6,000 loan amount, your expected Federal refund less authorized fees must be at least $7,000. An Easy Advance (EA) is a loan secured by and paid back with your tax refund and is offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC, to eligible taxpayers. Loan amount options are based on your expected Federal refund less authorized fees. If approved for an EA, a Finance Charge will apply. Loan is subject to underwriting and approval. EA proceeds are typically available within 24 hours of IRS acceptance of tax return or within 24 hours for those filing before the IRS start date; however, if direct deposit is selected, it may take additional time for your financial institution to post the funds to your account. Visit your tax preparer to learn about the cost and timing of all filing and product options. Available with preparation of 2021 federal tax return through Feb. 28, 2022.

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