How to get up to $3,600 per child in tax credit

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen encourages Americans to take advantage of tax credits, including the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen encourages Americans to take advantage of tax credits, including the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

By FATIMA HUSSEIN / Associated Press February 9, 2022 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Millions of Americans who have never filed a tax return will need to do so this year in order to claim what’s coming to them under the enhanced child tax credit.

Previously, only people who earned enough money to owe income taxes could qualify for the full credit.

But as part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, President Joe Biden expanded the program, increasing the payments to up to $3,600 annually for each child aged 5 or under and $3,000 for those who are ages 6 to 17.

The monthly payments have amounted to $300 for each child 5 and younger and $250 for those between 5 and 17.

The government began to send the payments out – an overall $93 billion – on a monthly basis starting last July. Now, there are an additional six months’ worth of payments waiting to be claimed. And some families haven’t collected any of the benefits they’re due yet. In all, an estimated $193 billion is yet to be claimed.