{"id":23274,"date":"2021-06-24T06:00:31","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/?p=23274"},"modified":"2021-06-24T06:11:44","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T11:11:44","slug":"irs-tool-helps-low-income-families-register-for-monthly-child-tax-credit-payments-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/tax-law-and-news\/irs-tool-helps-low-income-families-register-for-monthly-child-tax-credit-payments-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"IRS tool helps low-income families register for monthly Child Tax Credit payments"},"content":{"rendered":"

The U.S. Treasury and the IRS recently unveiled an online\u00a0Non-filer Sign-up tool<\/a>\u00a0designed to help eligible families who don\u2019t normally file tax returns register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to begin July 15.<\/p>\n

This tool, an update of last year\u2019s IRS Non-filers tool, is also designed to help eligible individuals who don\u2019t normally file income tax returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus checks), and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they may have missed.<\/p>\n

Developed in partnership with Intuit\u00ae and delivered through the Free File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible people who don\u2019t make enough income to have an income tax return-filing obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed – name, address, and Social Security numbers, to figure and issue their Advance Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on IRS.gov.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Non-filer Sign-up tool\u00a0is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020, and who did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking or savings account.<\/p>\n

No action needed by most families<\/b><\/p>\n

Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a return is the\u00a0Free File<\/a>\u00a0system, available only on IRS.gov.<\/p>\n

Watch out for scams<\/b><\/p>\n

The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a scam.<\/p>\n

Advise your clients to watch out for scams using email, phone calls, or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a non-governmental web site.<\/p>\n

Two tools available<\/b><\/p>\n

The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page<\/a>\u00a0designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.\u00a0The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool, and will include two new tools:<\/p>\n