Child tax credit calculator: See how much you'll get before payments arrive

On July 15, millions of households across the US will receive the first monthly payment for the expanded child tax credit. Eligible families can get $3,000 for each kid between the ages of 6 and 17 and $3,600 for each child 5 and younger. The IRS will make payments monthly through the rest of the year -- you'll get the rest in 2022. The amount you get depends on your yearly income and the age of your dependents.

The math is much different this year, so we'll help you walk through the payment amount to expect and schedules below. If you think the IRS doesn't have the most current information about you or your children, you'll be able to use the child tax credit portals to update your details later this month. Nonfilers could be eligible, meaning many low-income families will get some extra cash in 2021 if they register their details. 

The White House has launched a new website with details and marked today, June 21, as Child Tax Credit Awareness Day. The IRS is sending out letters to parents to let them know they qualify. Aside from the child tax credit money, you should check to see about claiming up to $16,000 for child care expenses. If you're curious, we've also summarized what's known about a potential fourth stimulus check. This story was updated recently. 

How do I calculate my family's child tax credit amount?

Enter your adjusted gross income and number of dependents below to calculate your payment. (Our calculator will not store or use your data.) The results you get are based on our current knowledge of the law and should be treated as broad estimates only; the IRS will determine the final amount. We suggest consulting a financial professional for a more personalized estimate.

The child tax credit math is somewhat involved this time around: For parents of eligible children up to age 5, the IRS will pay $3,600, half as six monthly payments and half as a 2021 tax credit. For each child ages 6 through 17, the IRS will pay $3,000. The IRS will make a one-time payment of $500 for dependents age 18 or full-time college students up through age 24.

If your AGI is $75,000 or less as a single filer, $112,500 as a head of household or $150,000 filing jointly, you'll get the full amount. If your income is higher than the limit for your filing status, your child tax credit payments will begin to phase out by $50 for every $1,000 of income over the threshold.

What does the child tax credit monthly payment schedule look like?

Here's how the advance child tax credit payments will arrive, starting July 15 through 2022. The chart shows the maximum payment amount, but you may qualify for less. 

For an 18-year-old dependent, as well as for full-time college students ages 19 to 24, you will not receive monthly payments but rather one payment when you file your tax return in 2022.

Timeline for child tax credit payments

Monthly	Maximum payment (newborn to 5)	Maximum payment (6 to 17)	Maximum payment (18 to 24)
Jul 15, 2021: First payment of the year	$300	$250	-
Aug 13, 2021	$300	$250	-
Sep 15, 2021	$300	$250	-
Oct 15, 2021	$300	$250	-
Nov 15, 2021	$300	$250	-
Dec 15, 2021: Last payment of the year	$300	$250	-
Apr 2022: Second half of payment	$1,800	$1,500	$500

How can I unenroll in monthly payments and collect the total credit amount next year?

If you'd rather get your 2021 child tax credit money as one large payment, you'll be able to opt out of monthly payments once the IRS opens its online portal by July 1. The Child Tax Credit Update Portal will enable anyone who is eligible for advance payments to unenroll from the advance payment program. That means that instead of receiving $300 per month for your 3-year-old (and the remainder of your money in 2022, for example), you'd wait until you filed your taxes in 2022 to claim the full $3,600.

Later on, that same portal will allow people to check on the status of their payments and make updates to their information. 

If I don't normally file taxes, can I still get a child tax credit check? 

The IRS will automatically make the payments for those who filed their 2020 tax return or claimed dependents on their 2019 tax return. If you didn't submit your tax return, the IRS won't know to send you a payment (and also won't know if you've gained dependents since the last tax filing).

If you are a nonfiler and didn't file a tax return this year and don't plan to, the IRS has come up with an alternative. A new "Non-filer Sign-up tool" allows non-tax filer families to submit an electronic form to let the IRS know how many kids they have and their ages -- including babies born in 2020 and 2021 -- so they can get the correct payment amount. 

While the tool is intended for low-income families to enroll in the program, it has been criticized for not being entirely user-friendly. For example, it works better on a computer than a mobile device, and requires that users have access to an email address and understand English. 

Can a new baby also help me qualify for the credit? 

Children born in 2021 make you eligible for the 2021 tax credit of $3,600 per child. (That's up to $7,200 for twins.) This is on top of payments for any other qualified child dependents you claim. Here's our guide for parents of 2021 babies, including what parents of adopted infants should know.

What are the age requirements and other rules dependents must meet?

There are some specific rules regarding qualifications not just for parents and caregivers, but for the children, too. Here's what to know about dependent qualifications for the child tax credit. 

As for your chlld aging out of a payment bracket, know that the amount of the credit depends on the age of a child on Dec. 31 this year. So, if you have a 5-year-old turning 6 before the end of 2021, the total payment amount you could get for that child is $3,000. If you have a 17-year-old who turns 18 before the end of 2021, you would receive $500 total for that dependent instead of $3,000. If you have a dependent who is a full-time college student and turns 25 this year, you won't receive any payment for that dependent.

What should I do if the IRS sends me an overpayment?

Your family's eligibility is determined in large part by your adjusted gross income. So what happens if you get a new job or start making more money in 2021? What happens if the payments have already gone out and you spent the money?

The IRS has a plan for this: The agency will make the Child Tax Credit Update Portal available by July 1 so you can update your information. If you need to make an adjustment, the IRS will lower the payment amounts you'd receive if your new income reaches the phaseout level, according to Garrett Watson, a senior policy analyst at Tax Foundation.

If you wait until 2022 to update your information when you file your taxes and you continue to receive the full amount based on your lower income, you will have to return the excess money on your 2021 tax return next spring, or else accept a smaller 2021 refund or owe more in taxes.