The expanded Child Tax Credit ended after 2021

The Child Tax Credit still exists, but the expanded version that sent monthly payments to families ran out at the end of 2021. From July through December 2021, the IRS sent monthly checks of $250 to $300 per child to millions of households. That monthly payment program is over. Families now receive the credit only once a year when they file their tax return, the way it worked before 2021.

The credit itself did not disappear entirely. You can still claim $2,000 per child under age 17 on your federal tax return for tax year 2024, but you have to wait until you file to receive it — there are no monthly payments anymore. Congress did not pass legislation to extend the monthly payment version, so it ended when the law expired.

Key Takeaways

  • The monthly Child Tax Credit payments that ran from July to December 2021 ended and have not been extended or revived.
  • The standard $2,000-per-child credit still exists and you can claim it on your 2024 tax return, but only as a lump sum when you file.
  • Some states and cities have created their own child tax credits or cash programs to replace the federal monthly payments, though these vary widely by location.
  • If you received monthly payments in 2021, you may have had to repay some of that money when you filed your 2022 tax return if your income changed.

What the monthly payments were and why they ended

In March 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit and authorized the IRS to send it as monthly payments instead of a lump sum at tax time. Starting in July 2021, families with children under 17 received $250 per month for each child (or $300 for children under 6). The payments went directly to bank accounts or by mail, with no action required from families who had filed a 2020 tax return.

The law that created these payments was written to expire on December 31, 2021. Congress did not pass new legislation to extend it beyond that date. The monthly payment program ended, and the credit reverted to the standard $2,000-per-child amount that families can only claim once a year on their tax return. Several proposals to extend or make the expanded credit permanent have been introduced in Congress since then, but none have passed into law.

The $2,000 credit that still exists on your tax return

The basic Child Tax Credit of $2,000 per child under age 17 remains part of the tax code. When you file your 2024 federal tax return, you can claim this credit for each may have access to child. The credit reduces the amount of federal income tax you owe, dollar for dollar. If the credit is larger than the tax you owe, you may receive the difference as a refund, though there are limits on how much of the credit is refundable.

To claim the credit, you need the child's Social Security number, proof they lived with you for more than half the year, and proof of your relationship to them (usually a birth certificate). You claim it when you file your return with the IRS, either on your own or with help from a tax preparer. The credit phases out at higher income levels — the exact threshold depends on your filing status.

State and local programs that replaced the federal monthly payments

After the federal monthly payments ended, some states and cities created their own child tax credits or cash assistance programs. These vary significantly by location and are not available everywhere. For example, Colorado, Connecticut, and a few other states have passed state-level child tax credits. Some cities like Denver and San Francisco have created direct cash programs for families with children.

These programs are separate from the federal credit and have their own rules about income limits, how much they pay, and how often. There is no single national replacement for the federal monthly payments. To find out whether your state or city has a program, contact your state tax authority or your city's human services department. You can also search online for "[your state] child tax credit" or "[your city] child assistance program" to see what is available in your area.

What happened if you received monthly payments in 2021

If you received the monthly Child Tax Credit payments from July through December 2021, you had to account for that money when you filed your 2022 tax return. The IRS sent you a letter showing how much you received. You reported that amount on your return, and if your income had changed or if you were not actually may have access to to the full amount, you might have had to repay some of it.

Many families discovered during tax filing season 2022 that they owed money back because their income had risen during 2021, or because they had more children than they reported, or because they did not live with the child for the full year. The IRS did not adjust the monthly payments based on income changes — it sent the same amount every month. When you filed your return, the IRS calculated what you actually owed based on your full-year income, and the difference came out of your refund or added to what you owed.

How to claim the current credit on your tax return

When you file your 2024 federal tax return, you claim the Child Tax Credit on Schedule 8812 (if you are using the IRS forms) or through the tax software you are using. You will need each child's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. You must also show that the child is a U.S. citizen, national, or resident alien, and that they lived with you for more than half the year.

If you use tax software or a tax preparer, they will walk you through the questions and fill in the form for you. If you file by hand, you can download the form from IRS.gov and follow the instructions. The credit reduces your tax liability. If you have no tax liability (because your income is low enough), part of the credit may still be refunded to you, up to a limit set by law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the monthly payments back if Congress passes a new law?

That would depend on what Congress passes. If a new law is enacted that creates monthly payments again, it would apply to future months, not retroactively to 2021 and 2022. Any new program would have its own rules about who receives payments and how much. There is no way to receive the 2021 payments again unless Congress specifically authorizes it.

Do I have to repay the 2021 monthly payments I received?

You may have already repaid some or all of it when you filed your 2022 tax return. Check the tax return you filed for 2022 to see if you had to repay any amount. If you did not file a 2022 return, you may still owe money. Contact the IRS or a tax preparer to find out your status.

What if I did not receive the monthly payments in 2021 but think I should have?

The IRS sent payments automatically to households that filed a 2020 tax return. If you did not file one, you did not receive payments. You can still claim the $2,000 credit on your current tax return if you have a may have access to child. If you believe you were may have access to to the 2021 payments and did not receive them, contact the IRS directly.

Is there a way to get monthly child payments now?

The federal monthly payments ended in 2021 and have not been revived. Some states and cities have created their own programs, but these are not available everywhere. Check with your state tax authority or city human services department to see if a local program exists in your area.