Deadline for Detroiters to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments is Nov. 15; City urges residents to sign up now

2021

Deadline for Detroiters to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments is Nov. 15; City urges residents to sign up now

  • Eligible families can receive up to $3,600 for every child in household
  • Free tax filing help available by calling 211 or visiting GetTheTaxFacts.org

Detroit – As the November 15th deadline approaches, the City of Detroit is urging families to sign up to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments.

The American Rescue Plan Act temporarily increased the Child Tax Credit to provide monthly payments to families with children ($300 for children under age 6 and $250 for children ages 6-17). Nearly all Detroit families with children are eligible, please don’t miss out. If families miss the deadline, they will have to wait until they file taxes in Spring of 2022 to sign up to receive the one-time credit in a lump sum.

Thousands of Detroit families have already taken advantage of this monthly benefit. The Child Tax Credit has proven to drastically reduce child poverty by providing money directly to families. Survey data demonstrates most families are using the payments to buy food, clothing, and school-related items.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cut childhood poverty in half in America, and the city has come together with dozens of partners to ensure Detroiters do not miss their chance,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “Receiving this benefit before the end of the year could make a huge difference for families, take advantage of the help we’ve got for you and don’t miss out.”

Thanks to ongoing efforts of a coalition of nonprofits, the City of Detroit, education partners and nonprofit foundations have engaged in outreach and assistance to ensure parents and young people benefit from the newly expanded Child Tax Credit. The campaign is being led by United Way for Southeastern Michigan, City of Detroit, Community Development Advocates of Detroit, Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, Accounting Aid Society, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, the Kresge, and Skillman Foundations, and Ballmer Group. 

In order to be eligible for this one-time provision of up to $3,600, you must have filed your income taxes. Although the tax filing deadline this year was May 17, there is no penalty for filing late if you do not owe taxes or are due a refund. If you do owe taxes, filing sooner will minimize any potential late fees. Our nonprofit partners here in Detroit are ready to help you file.

Who is eligible?

You qualify for the Child Tax Credit if you meet these criteria:

  • You are a parent, guardian, or caregiver with dependent children up to age 17.
  • Your child has a Social Security Number. You can file with an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number), but your child must have a Social Security Number.
  • You fall below the following income limits to receive the full amounts:
    • If you are single and meet the requirements for filing taxes as a head of household, your income must be under $112,500.  
    • If you are single and do not meet the requirements for filing as head of household, your income must be under $75,000.
    • If you have a spouse and choose to file your taxes jointly, your combined income must be under $150,000.
  • If your household income is above those thresholds, you will receive slightly smaller payments, depending on your income.
     

How to Ensure You Get Your Payments

If you’ve filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you will get your Child Tax Credit payments automatically if you apply before November 15th. You do not need to sign up or take any action.

If you filed 2019 or 2020 taxes or utilized the Non-Filer tool for the Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Check) but need to update your information, you will be able to add or change your bank account information on the IRS website in the coming weeks, through the IRS’s Child Tax Credit Update Portal.

If you haven’t filed 2019 or 2020 taxes or have not used the non-filer tool on the IRS website to get your stimulus check you should file your taxes now or use the IRS non-filer tool.

 

Free Tax Preparation and bank account help available 

To learn more about the Child Tax Credit and to get free tax preparation assistance, residents can call 2-1-1 or visit GetTheTaxFacts.org.  From there, they will be able to schedule an appointment for free tax preparation assistance or to learn more about the non-filer portal launched by the IRS. 

Building on the Get the Tax Facts campaign launched by United Way earlier this year, this campaign hinges on the promotion of free tax preparation services and includes additional support to ensure Detroiters maximize other benefits for which they are eligible. 

Longtime Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) providers Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency will provide individualized assistance to prepare and file taxes through virtual, drop-n-go, and in-person appointments.

Our nonprofit partners are also working with the Bank On coalition to help families without a bank account set up certified accounts to receive the monthly Child Tax Credit payments and other direct deposit state benefits.

Non-Filer CTC Sign Up Tool: www.GetCTC.org/Detroit

Schedule a FREE tax prep appointment: www.GetTheTaxFacts.org

For help setting up a bank account: www.DetroitFEC.org