With no deal to extend the temporary advance tax credit payments into 2022, the Dec. 15 check appears to likely be the last. But there’s still money parents can claim this tax season.

As part of the federal stimulus in response to the pandemic, the expanded child tax credit increased payments from $2,000 to up to $3,600 per eligible child, and put more money in parents’ pockets ahead of tax time. Eligible parents got half of the credit in advance payments from July to December 2021. 

Under the American Rescue Plan, the credit was only expanded for a single year, and while there was support to extend it from some lawmakers, the bill stalled in Congress.

Still, if you qualified for the expanded Child Tax Credit, you can still expect some additional relief when you file taxes. Advance monthly payments only made up half of the full credit amount for 2021 — eligible families will receive the second half of the expanded Child Tax Credit after filing 2021 tax returns. But changes to your income or other eligibility factors may impact how much you can expect when you file. 

What’s more, U.S. Treasury officials have already warned that the IRS could face “enormous challenges” this year, according to a Washington Post report. To avoid delays, including potential delays in processing your remaining Child Tax Credit, the IRS recommends filing early and preparing all necessary documents before tax season begins on Jan. 24.

Here’s everything you need to know about reporting your advance payments and how to claim the rest of the Child Tax Credit.

If you received advance Child Tax Credit payments, your eligibility was based on your last filed tax return — for most people, that would be your 2020 tax return — as well as eligible children and the children’s ages. If any of your qualifying details changed in 2021, it could change the amount you’re eligible for, and you’ll need to account for those changes when you file your taxes this year.

Before tax season starts, you should receive a letter from the IRS detailing how much money you received in advance Child Tax Credit payments and the number of qualifying children the IRS counted to determine the amount you qualify for. You, or your tax preparer if you use one, can use this letter to determine how much of the Child Tax Credit you’re still owed when you file your return. 

How Much in Child Tax Credit Payments Will You Get on Your 2021 Tax Return?

If you received advance payments in 2021, those payments accounted for half the amount you were eligible for based on your last tax return. In general, the remaining Child Tax Credit amount you’ll claim when you file your 2021 taxes should be the second half.

Because the advance Child Tax Credit payments were based on your most recent tax return, you may have to reconcile the money you received and what you actually qualify for based on your actual situation in 2021. For instance, maybe your filing status or income changed in 2021, or your child stayed at another residence for over half of the year. You may also have chosen to opt out of the advance payments, meaning you’ll receive the full amount with your tax return instead.

If You Exceed Expanded Child Tax Credit Income Thresholds

Even if you exceed the income thresholds to receive the full expanded credit, you may still qualify for the $2,000 credit that applied in previous years.

Your Child Tax Credit won’t be reduced below $2,000 per child until your AGI exceeds $400,000 for married couples filing jointly, or $200,000 for single and head of household filers, according to the IRS. If your AGI is above these phaseout thresholds, the amount you qualify for will be reduced by $50 for each $1,000 your income exceeds the threshold.

How to Get Child Tax Credit Repayment Relief

If you didn’t update your information with the IRS to reflect changes to your family situation and now qualify for less money than you’ve already received, you may need to repay the IRS some or all of it — unless you qualify for repayment protection. 

The full repayment protection amount is $2,000, multiplied by the number of children the IRS initially took into account to determine your payment, minus the number of actual qualifying children on your 2021 tax return.

For instance, say you had two qualifying children on your 2020 tax return and received advance Child Tax Credit payments based on that, but will only actually claim one on your 2021 tax return. You can expect up to $2,000 in repayment relief to cover the one child you didn’t claim for 2021.

This repayment protection amount will be lower if your AGI exceeds certain income limits. The amount is reduced based on how much more your AGI is over the repayment income threshold. Repayment options reach $0 when your income is at or higher than the following:

• $120,000 for those married and filing jointly.

• $100,000 for heads of household.

• $80,000 for single filers or those married and filing separately.

If you don’t qualify for repayment relief, the amount you owe may be taken from your federal tax refund or added to your taxes owed to cover the balance. You may also work with the IRS to pay the balance with an installment agreement. 

What About Parents Who Didn’t Receive Advance Child Tax Credit Payments?

Over the six months that advance payments were sent to eligible parents by the IRS, some missed payments due to incorrect banking information, a wrong address, or not qualifying based on their last filed tax return (even if they were actually eligible). 

You can use the Child Tax Credit Update Portal to view your past payments, see if a payment was sent, and double check your personal information.

If the IRS didn’t issue a payment that you’re owed, you can reconcile the amount when you file your 2021 tax return. If the IRS did send a payment you never received, you can file Form 3911 to get the IRS’ help in tracing the payment.