The Child Tax Credit in 2024 is not being paid in advance monthly installments like it was in 2021 and 2022
The Child Tax Credit for 2024 is available only when you file your tax return — there are no monthly payments sent to your bank account during the year. This is different from 2021 and 2022, when the IRS sent advance payments every month to families who met income limits. In 2024, you claim the credit on your federal tax return (Form 1040) and receive it as part of your refund or as a reduction in taxes owed.
The credit itself has not gone away. You can still receive up to $2,000 per child under age 17 if your household income is below the threshold for your filing status. But the way you get the money has changed back to the traditional method: you file your return, and the IRS processes it.
Key Takeaways
- The Child Tax Credit for 2024 is claimed on your tax return when you file, not paid monthly in advance like 2021–2022.
- You can receive up to $2,000 per child under age 17 if your income is below $400,000 (married filing jointly) or $200,000 (single filers).
- You must file a federal tax return to receive the credit, even if you normally do not have to file.
- The IRS will not send you a notice or letter asking you to claim it — you or your tax preparer must include it on your return.
- If your income changed in 2024 or you had a new child, your credit amount may be different from previous years.
Income limits and credit amounts for 2024
The maximum credit is $2,000 per child under age 17. The credit begins to reduce if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds certain thresholds. For married couples filing jointly, the threshold is $400,000. For single filers, it is $200,000. For heads of household, it is $200,000. The credit reduces by $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of income above the threshold.
Your child must have a valid Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien, and be claimed as a dependent on your return. The child must also be under age 17 at the end of 2024. If you had a child born in 2024, that child counts for the full $2,000 credit on your 2024 return.
How to claim the credit when you file your return
You claim the Child Tax Credit on Schedule 8812 (Credits for may have access to Children and Other Dependents) if you are using Form 1040. If you use tax software or work with a tax preparer, they will ask you questions about your children and automatically include the credit if you are may have access to to it.
You will need your child's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. You will also need to report your household income for 2024. If you file electronically, the IRS processes most returns within 21 days. If you file on paper, processing takes longer.
If you do not normally have to file a tax return because your income is too low, you should still file one in 2024 if you have children under 17. Filing allows you to claim the credit and may result in a refund even if no taxes were withheld from your pay.
What happened to the monthly advance payments
From July 2021 through December 2022, the IRS sent monthly advance payments of the Child Tax Credit to families who met income and other requirements. Those payments were part of a temporary expansion of the credit during the pandemic. That temporary program ended on December 31, 2022.
Starting in 2023, the credit returned to its previous structure: you claim it on your tax return and receive it when you file. There have been no monthly payments since January 2023, and there are none scheduled for 2024 or beyond unless Congress passes new legislation.
Changes to watch if your situation changed in 2024
If your household income increased significantly in 2024, your credit may be smaller than in previous years. If you had a new child or adopted a child in 2024, you can claim the full $2,000 credit for that child. If you got married or divorced in 2024, your filing status changes, which may affect your income threshold and the credit amount.
If you received advance payments in 2021 or 2022 and your actual income for those years was higher than you reported, you may have owed back some of that money when you filed your 2021 or 2022 return. That reconciliation is separate from your 2024 credit — do not let it prevent you from claiming the credit you are may have access to to in 2024.
Where to file and what to expect
You can file your 2024 tax return using IRS Free File (if your income is below $79,000), tax software you purchase, or a tax preparer. The IRS website (irs.gov) has a tool to help you find free filing options. If you file electronically, you can expect a refund within 21 days if everything on your return is correct and you chose direct deposit.
The IRS will not contact you by phone, email, or text to tell you to claim the Child Tax Credit. If someone contacts you claiming to be from the IRS and asking you to claim the credit or verify your children's information, it is a scam. The IRS initiates contact by mail only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a tax return to get the Child Tax Credit in 2024?
Yes. There are no automatic monthly payments in 2024. You must file a federal tax return and claim the credit on it. If your income is below the filing requirement for your age and filing status, you still should file to claim the credit, because you may receive a refund.
Can I get the Child Tax Credit if I did not file a return in 2023?
Yes. Each year is separate. If you did not file in 2023, you can still file in 2024 and claim the 2024 Child Tax Credit. You cannot go back and claim the 2023 credit after the filing deadline has passed, but you can claim 2024 when you file your 2024 return.
What if my child turned 17 in 2024?
If your child turned 17 at any point during 2024, they do not count for the Child Tax Credit on your 2024 return. The child must be under age 17 on December 31, 2024. However, you may be able to claim a $500 credit for that child as a dependent if they meet other requirements.
Will I get the credit automatically, or do I have to ask for it?
You must claim it on your return. The IRS does not automatically add it. If you use tax software or a tax preparer, they will ask you about your children and include the credit if you are may have access to to it. If you file on paper, you must complete Schedule 8812 yourself or have someone help you.
What if I share custody of a child with another parent?
Only one parent can claim the Child Tax Credit for each child per tax year. Usually, the parent who has custody for more than half the year claims it. If you and the other parent cannot agree, the IRS has rules about who can claim the credit. You may want to consult a tax preparer or the IRS website for your specific situation.