How Does The Child Tax Credit Work For 2021?
May 31, 2021
COVID has had such a major impact on everyones lives in so many different ways. Here as accountants it also means constantly changing already complex tax laws.
In our Free Facebook Group and all around the internet we have been seeing questions on the changes to the Child Tax Credit for 2021 so we can to take the time to break it down for you.
What Are The Typical Parameters Around The Child Tax Credit?
Before we dig too deep into the changes for 2021 specifically, lets talk historically.
- For 2018-2020 and 2022-2025, the maximum annual CTC is $2,000 per qualifying child.
- A qualifying child is under age 17 who could be claimed as your dependent for the year.
- Phase Out If Modified Adjusted Gross Income Exceeds:
- $200k (Single)
- $400k (Married)
- Note: the credit phased out by $50 per $1,000 of MAGI in excess of threshold
What Are The Changes To The CTC For 2021?
For the 2021 tax year only, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) makes big, taxpayer-friendly changes to the federal income tax child tax credit (CTC).
- Qualifying Children Can Be Up To 17 Years Old
- vs under 17
- Maximum Child Tax Credit of $3,000 per Qualifying Child or $3,600 If Age of 5 Or Younger
- Phase Outs
- The increased CTC amount ($1,000 or $1,600) above original is phased out for those with MAGI above $75k (Single) or $150k (Married)
- The “regular” $2,000 CTC amount is subject to the regular phaseout rule.
- Note:If you’re not eligible for the increased CTC amount for 2021 because your income is too high, you can still claim the regular CTC of up to $2,000, subject to the regular phaseout rule.
- IRS Will Make Advance CTC Payments (Hopefully)
- The COVID relief plan establishes a program to make monthly advance payments of CTCs.
- Payments will equal 50% of the IRS’s estimate of your allowable CTC for 2021.
- These payments will be made in equal monthly installments from July thru December 2021.
- They will be using information from your 2020 Form 1040 (or 2019 if you haven’t filed yet) when doing those estimates.
- Example: Lets say you qualify for a CTC in 2021 of $6,000 for two qualifying children. The IRS would advance you a total of $3,000 (50% of allowable CTC) via monthly payments of $500 each for July thru December. The remaining CTC of $3,000 will occur when filing your 2021 Form 1040.
Hope that helps clear this new change up a little bit!
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