So, in one of our previous posts, we were getting a lot of questions if you can get the child tax credit if you don’t file taxes.

Well, great news for everyone out there who normally doesn’t file tax returns…

…because the IRS just released a new online tool to help low-income families register for the monthly child tax credit payments.

Today, let’s talk about this new tool and some other relevant updates. Keep reading to learn more about the child tax credit portal update!

What is the Non-Filer Sign Up Tool?

It’s called the “Non-filer sign-up tool” which is for people who did NOT, we repeat, DID NOT file their 2020 taxes which would have been done in 2021.

These people can now use the online tool to register for monthly child tax credit payments.

And towards the end of this post, we will walk through, step-by-step, what you need in order to use the tool. But first, let us get through a few more updates.

So in addition, with this non-filer sign-up tool, you will be able to register your eligibility for the 3rd round of economic impact payments along with claim the recovery rebate credit for any amount of the first two rounds of stimulus you may have missed.

So again, great news for anyone who had issues with filing your taxes last year.

This tool is going to give you the ability to register for new monthly child tax credit payments and all previous stimulus payments.

The IRS commission, Chuck Rettig said:

“We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July.

This new tool will help more people easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who don’t normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We encourage people to review the details about this important new effort.”

Interactive Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant

Now let’s talk about some of the other tools that are coming soon for people who did file their 2020 taxes.

Right now we know the IRS has created a special advanced tax credit 2021 page, but as of this moment, there is nothing to really use it for.

They just added the non-filer sign-up tool link but over the next few months, it will also feature some new tools.

The first will be an interactive child tax credit eligibility assistant to help people understand and determine if they even qualify for the advance child tax credit payments.

So of course, we’ve been getting a lot of questions on whether you are eligible based on disability or income status. This will help make that crystal clear for you.

Child Tax Credit Portal Update

And the next tool will be the child tax credit portal that we have been waiting on. This will allow people to unenroll or opt-out of the advance payment program initially.

And this is the exact tool we’ve been waiting for, especially for people who are concerned about the possible tax liability impacts if they take advanced child tax credit payments.

Later, they will update the portal so that people can check their payment status, make updates to their information which we would assume would be their deposit information or address.

And as well as be available for use in Spanish.

So those are the biggest updates right now. The next thing here is like a note, but definitely extremely important.

Watch Out for Scams

We made a post about PPP loan fraud and how so many people took advantage of the lack of assurance around PPP.

So the IRS is already warning that there may be other people who are looking to take advantage of people who are rushing ahead to get their child tax payments and stimulus payments.

The IRS emphasizes that the only way to get either payment is by either filing a tax return, or registering with the non-filer sign-up tool.

And our recommendation is don’t sign up for anything that you don’t find exclusively on the IRS.gov website.

So be very careful and cautious because there are people who are looking at this as an opportunity to possibly steal identities and payments.

Who Should Not Use the New Child Tax Credit Portal Tool

Lastly, let’s look at the non-filer tool together and see how everything works.

Firstly, do not use this tool if you:

• Filed or plan to file a 2020 tax return; or
• You claimed all your dependents on your 2019 return, including by reporting their information in 2020 using the non-filers enter payment info here tool; or
• Were married at the end of 2020, unless you use the tool with your spouse and include your spouse’s information; or
• Are a resident of a U.S. territory; (which is like Guam, Puerto Rico, or Virgin Islands for example); or
• Do not have a main home in the United States for more than half the year and, if you are married, your spouse does not have a main home in the United States for more than half the year; or
• Do not have a qualifying child who was born before 2021 and had a Social Security number issued before May 17, 2021.

Requirements for Non-Filer Sign Up Tool

So if you pass that test, here’s what you need to get started:

1. Full name
2. Current mailing address
3. Email address
4. Date of birth
5. Valid social security numbers for you and your dependents
6. Bank account information (if you have one)
7. Identity protection personal number (if you have one)

And that’s pretty much all the information you’re going to need before you sign up.

So once you’re ready then you are going to go to this link. And when you click the button at the bottom of that page, it will take you to this form.

From there everything is really simple. You just want to start creating an accounting and putting in all your information. And that’s it!

So we hope this was a helpful child tax credit portal update for everyone.

Again, for your tax planning, tax preparation, and tax resolution needs, our LYFE savers are always ready to help.

Simply contact us today!