The Senate did not pass a permanent expansion of the Child Tax Credit after 2021

The expanded Child Tax Credit that gave families up to $3,600 per child in 2021 expired at the end of that year. The Senate did not pass legislation to extend it permanently. Instead, the credit reverted to its previous form: $2,000 per child for most families, with a phase-out that leaves lower-income households with less or nothing.

Several proposals to restore the expanded credit have been introduced in Congress since 2022, but none have passed both chambers. The most recent attempts stalled in committee or did not receive a floor vote. This means the credit structure that existed before 2021 remains in effect for current tax years.

What you receive now depends on your income, the number of children you claim, and whether you file taxes. The IRS does not automatically send payments — you claim the credit on your tax return or through advance payments if a program is running.

Key Takeaways

  • The expanded Child Tax Credit of up to $3,600 per child ended on December 31, 2021, and the Senate did not pass a bill to extend it.
  • The credit is now $2,000 per child under age 17, but many lower-income families receive less or nothing due to income phase-outs.
  • You claim the credit on your federal tax return, or you may receive advance monthly payments if the IRS is running a payment program that year.
  • Proposals to restore the higher credit amount have been introduced multiple times but have not passed into law.

What the credit looked like in 2021 versus now

In 2021, the American Rescue Plan temporarily increased the Child Tax Credit to $3,600 per child under age 6 and $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17. The IRS also sent half the credit as monthly advance payments from July through December 2021 — families received $250 to $300 per child each month. The income phase-out was also higher, meaning more middle-income families received the full amount.

Starting in 2022, the credit dropped back to $2,000 per child under age 17. There are no monthly advance payments unless Congress passes a new law to restart them. The income limits are lower, so families earning above roughly $400,000 (married filing jointly) or $200,000 (single filers) begin losing the credit. Families earning below those thresholds may still receive less than the full $2,000 if their tax liability is low.

The difference is substantial: a family with three children under age 6 received $10,800 in 2021 but receives $6,000 in 2024 under current law.

Why the Senate did not extend the expanded credit

The expanded credit was part of the American Rescue Plan, a temporary pandemic relief measure passed in March 2021. It was designed to expire after one year. Extending it would have required a separate bill with new votes in both the House and Senate.

Several bills to extend or restore the credit have been introduced since 2022, including the Child Tax Credit Enhancement Act and proposals attached to larger tax packages. None have passed both chambers. Disagreement over cost, funding, and other tax policy details has prevented these bills from moving forward. Some proposals also included changes to other tax provisions, which complicated negotiations.

As of now, there is no active legislation in the Senate that would restore the 2021 credit amount or restart monthly advance payments for the current tax year.

How to claim the credit under current rules

You claim the Child Tax Credit on your federal tax return using Form 1040 and Schedule 8812 (or the equivalent worksheets if you use tax software). You must have a valid Social Security number for each child you claim, and the child must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year.

The IRS will calculate the credit based on your income and the number of may have access to children. If you owe less in taxes than the credit amount, you may receive a refund for the difference — but only up to $1,700 per child (the refundable portion). This means a family with one child and very low income might receive $1,700 rather than the full $2,000.

You do not need to contact the IRS or take any action before filing. The credit is claimed when you file your return. If you file through a tax preparer or software, they will ask you for your children's information and calculate the credit automatically.

What to do if you think you missed the credit in a prior year

If you did not claim the Child Tax Credit in 2021 or earlier years when you were may have access to to it, you can file an amended return. Use Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) and attach the required schedules. The IRS generally allows you to amend a return for up to three years after the original due date.

For 2021 specifically, if you did not receive the monthly advance payments but were may have access to to them, you can claim the full credit on your 2021 tax return. The advance payments were not automatic — they went only to people who had filed a 2020 return or registered with the IRS. If you did not receive them and should have, the credit is still available when you file.

If you need help filing an amended return, contact a tax preparer, a free tax clinic through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), or the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Proposals currently in Congress

Several members of Congress have introduced bills to restore the expanded credit, but none are currently scheduled for a vote. The Child Tax Credit Enhancement Act would restore the $3,600 and $3,000 amounts and restart monthly payments. Other proposals have been included in broader tax reform packages that have not advanced.

You can track the status of these bills on Congress.gov by searching for "Child Tax Credit." The site shows whether a bill is in committee, has passed one chamber, or is awaiting a vote. Status changes slowly, and most bills do not become law.

If you want to contact your representatives about the credit, you can find their contact information on House.gov and Senate.gov. Sending a message expressing your position may be recorded in their office files, though it does not may provide action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the 2021 expanded credit amount if I file my 2021 taxes now?

No. The expanded amount was only available for the 2021 tax year. If you did not claim it on your 2021 return, you can file an amended return to claim it, but only if you are within the three-year window from the original due date. After that, the credit is no longer available for that year.

Will the Senate pass a bill to bring back monthly payments?

There is no current timeline for a vote. Bills have been introduced but have not advanced through committee. Whether the Senate will pass such a bill depends on future legislative priorities and negotiations, which cannot be predicted here.

What if my income changed — do I still get the full $2,000 credit?

The credit phases out as income rises. For 2024, the phase-out begins at $400,000 for married filers and $200,000 for single filers. If your income is below those thresholds, you may receive the full $2,000 per child, but your actual tax liability also matters. A tax preparer or the IRS can tell you the exact amount based on your situation.

Do I have to do anything to claim the credit, or is it automatic?

You must claim it on your tax return. It is not automatic. You provide your children's information when you file, and the credit is calculated as part of your return. If you do not file a return, you do not receive the credit.