The IRS issues Child Tax Credit refunds in batches throughout the year, not all at once

If you received a Child Tax Credit advance payment in 2024 — the monthly deposits that started in July — your refund for any overpayment or unclaimed credit comes when you file your 2024 tax return, typically between January and April 2025. The IRS does not send a separate refund check for the advance payments themselves. Instead, the credit is reconciled on your return: if you received too much in advance, you may owe some back; if you did not receive the full credit you were may have access to to, the difference appears as a refund or reduces what you owe.

If you did not receive advance payments but are claiming the Child Tax Credit for the first time on your 2024 return, your refund timing depends on when you file and whether the IRS needs to verify your information. Most returns are processed within 21 days of filing if submitted electronically and without errors.

Key Takeaways

  • Advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2024 do not generate a separate refund — the credit is reconciled when you file your tax return in 2025.
  • If you received advance payments and are owed money back, that refund appears on your 2024 tax return filed between January and April 2025.
  • Refund timing depends on when you file your return, whether you file electronically, and whether the IRS needs to verify your information.
  • You can check the status of your refund using the IRS Where's My Refund tool after you file, usually available within 24 hours of e-filing.

How advance payments affect your 2024 refund

The advance payments you received from July through December 2024 were half of the total Child Tax Credit the IRS estimated you would receive for 2024. When you file your 2024 tax return, the IRS compares what you actually received to what you actually may have access to for based on your income, number of children, and other factors.

If you received more in advance than you were may have access to to — for example, because your income increased during the year or your family size changed — you will owe the difference back. This amount is subtracted from any refund you would otherwise receive, or added to what you owe if you have a tax liability. If you received less than you may have access to for, the remaining credit reduces your tax bill or increases your refund.

The IRS does not send a separate notice or check for this reconciliation. It happens automatically when your return is processed. You will see the total Child Tax Credit claimed on your return, and the amount of advance payments you received will be listed separately so you can see how the two are reconciled.

Timeline for filing and receiving your refund

The IRS begins accepting 2024 tax returns on January 27, 2025. If you file electronically and your return is accepted without errors, the IRS typically processes it within 21 days. If you file by mail, processing takes longer — usually 4 to 6 weeks from the date received.

Refunds are issued by direct deposit, check, or debit card, depending on what you chose when you filed. Direct deposit is fastest: the IRS sends the refund to your bank, which usually deposits it within 1 to 3 business days after the IRS releases it. Paper checks take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive by mail.

If the IRS needs to verify information on your return — for example, if there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what employers or financial institutions reported — processing takes longer. The IRS will contact you by mail if this happens. In those cases, refunds can take 60 days or more.

Checking the status of your refund

You can track your refund using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. The tool becomes available within 24 hours after you e-file your return, or about 4 weeks after you mail a paper return. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

The tool shows three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not processed it yet), "Approved" (your return has been processed and your refund has been approved), and "Sent" (your refund has been issued). Once the status shows "Sent," you can see the date the refund was released and the method it was sent by.

If you do not see your return in the tool after 24 hours of e-filing, wait a few more hours and check again. If it does not appear after 48 hours, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm your return was received.

What to do if you received the wrong advance payment amount

If you believe the advance payments you received in 2024 were incorrect — for example, you received payments for a child who was born after the IRS calculated your may be able to access, or your income changed significantly — you should still file your 2024 tax return. The return is where the IRS corrects the record.

When you file, report your actual income, the number of children you had during 2024, and any other changes in your circumstances. The IRS will recalculate your Child Tax Credit based on the information in your return and reconcile it against the advance payments you received. If you are owed money back, it will be included in your refund. If you owe money back, it will be deducted from your refund or added to what you owe.

Keep records of the advance payments you received — the IRS will send you a notice showing the total amount by early 2025. You will need this information to reconcile your return accurately.

If you did not receive advance payments

If you did not receive any advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2024 but you have children and believe you should have, you can claim the full Child Tax Credit on your 2024 tax return when you file in 2025. The credit is $2,000 per child under age 17 (this amount is set by law and does not change year to year unless Congress acts).

When you file your return, the IRS will determine whether you were may have access to to the advance payments and why you did not receive them. If there was an error on the IRS side, you will receive the full credit as a refund or reduction in what you owe. If you were not may have access to to the advance payments because your income was too high or for another reason, the IRS will process the credit based on your actual 2024 circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a separate check for the advance Child Tax Credit payments?

No. The advance payments are reconciled on your 2024 tax return. If you are owed money back because you received too much in advance, that amount is included in your overall refund when you file. You will not receive a separate check or notice for just the advance payments.

What if I owe money back because I received too much in advance?

The amount you owe is subtracted from any refund you would otherwise receive. If the amount you owe is larger than your refund, the difference is added to your total tax liability for 2024. You will see this on your tax return when it is processed.

Can I get my refund faster if I file early?

Filing early can help — the IRS processes returns in the order they are received. However, the IRS does not begin accepting 2024 returns until January 27, 2025. If you file electronically as soon as returns are accepted and your return has no errors, you may receive your refund by mid-February.

What if the IRS says I owe money back from the advance payments?

You will see this amount on your processed return. It reduces your refund or increases what you owe for 2024. If you cannot pay it in full, you can set up a payment plan with the IRS by calling 800-829-1040 or visiting irs.gov.

How do I know how much I received in advance payments?

The IRS will send you a notice showing the total advance Child Tax Credit payments you received in 2024. This notice is usually mailed in early 2025. You can also check your bank or payment records to see the deposits you received from July through December 2024.