What Do I Need to Do to Receive Advance Child Tax Credit Payments?

You may be wondering what you need to do to receive advance Child Tax Credit payments. The short answer is – generally nothing, unless you don’t normally file a tax return.

If you’re eligible to receive advance Child Tax Credit payments based on your 2019 or 2020 tax return, or information you entered into the Non-Filers tool for Economic Impact Payments on IRS.gov in 2020, you generally will receive advance payments automatically without any additional action.

However, you must take action if you have NOT filed your 2019 or 2020 tax return. The IRS has an online Non-Filer Sign-up tool that will allow people who weren’t required to file and who haven’t filed a tax return for 2020 to file a simplified tax return. This simplified tax return registers you for advance Child Tax Credit payments and the third Economic Impact Payment, and also helps you claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.

To find more information and answers to other questions you may have about the advance Child Tax Credit payments, go to IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021.