New York Times Publishes Explainer on Child Tax Credit

The revamped Child Tax Credit went into effect this month, with much-needed money being distributed to parents across the country. While this will be a boon for many parents, it also has the potential to create headaches for parents come tax season. Thankfully, the New York Times published helpful suggestions on who should take the credit and who should opt out.

As a reminder, the Child Tax Credit was expanded under the most recent round of stimulus, passed over the winter. The coverage expanded and the total amount went up, to $3,600 per year for each child under 6. The distribution mechanism also changed. Instead of claiming the credit when filing taxes, now parents can receive cash deposits of $300 per month per child. The credit is also now fully refundable, allowing parents to receive the credit even if they owe no taxes.

However, for some households, the Times explains, it can be a good idea to opt out of receiving the direct deposits. For separated parents who share custody, for instance, each parent may alternate years for claiming a dependent. Because the new deposits are based on the 2019 or 2020 tax returns, it may automatically go to the most recent parent to claim a dependent, even if it is the other parent’s year.

Other reasons to opt out include major changes in income, self-employment, and parents who expect large refunds. We will continue to cover the Child Tax Credit as it has the potential to be expanded even more in the coming years.