The Child Tax Credit and Mixed Immigration-Status Families - FAQ - November 2021

Sep 19, 2026

FAQ from November 2021 explaining the Child Tax Credit (CTC) under the American Rescue Plan, including eligibility for families with children 17 and under, how refundable benefits work, and what changed for tax year 2021. It covers monthly payment amounts from July to December 2021, delivery by direct deposit or mail, income thresholds and phase-out, and requirements around Social Security numbers and ITINs. It also addresses immigration-status questions, public charge considerations, ITIN application via Form W-7, DACA eligibility, and whether filing taxes is needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Child Tax Credit and Mixed Immigration-Status Families

CTC eligibility and benefit rules

Income limits and phaseout

SSN/ITIN requirements for children and parents

Immigration and green card/public charge questions

How to apply for an ITIN (Form W-7)

DACA eligibility

Whether you must file taxes to receive CTC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) November 2021 The Child Tax Credit and Mixed Immigration-Status Families By Ashley Burnside 1. What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC), and how did it change under the American Rescue Plan? The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a refundable tax credit available to families with children 17 or under who are their tax dependents. A refundable credit means that you can get money back even if the credit is more than you owe in federal income taxes. The purpose of the credit is to invest in parents as they care for their kids and help parents pay for expenses related to raising their children. In most cases, children must live with you for more than half the year to be claimed (you can find more information on whether a child can be claimed as your dependent here) . The American Rescue Plan expanded the CTC for tax year 2021. This year, families can get an even bigger CTC and can receive payments on a monthly basis, rather than having to wait until they file their 2021 tax returns in 2022. These changes are only for tax year 2021 right now, but President Biden has called for Congress to extend the changes into future years. Starting on July 15, 2021, eligible families will generally get: • $300 per month for each child in the household under the age of 6. • $250 per month for each child in the household ages 6-17. Families can get the CTC payments either by direct deposit or as a check by mail. Parents will get the monthly payment on the 15th of every month between July and December 2021 if they have filed a tax return or used an IRS non-filer portal and are eligible. When families file their 2021 taxes in 2022, they will get the remaining CTC benefit that they’re eligible for. 2. What are the income limits for the CTC? There is no minimum income required to get the CTC for tax year 2021. Even if a family has $0 in reported income and didn’t work during the previous year, they can still be eligible for the full CTC as long as they have children within the age limits who have Social Security numbers. The upper income limit is $150,000 per year for married couples and $112,500 for single parents filing as“head of household” to get the full $250 or $300 monthly CTC benefit. Once a family’s income goes above these thresholds, the CTC will begin to phase out. 3. Do I need a Social Security number (SSN) to be eligible for the CTC? Children must have an SSN to be eligible for the CTC. Parents are not required to have an SSN, but they must have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to claim the CTC for their eligible children. 4. What if my child doesn’t have an SSN? What if my child is over the age of 17? Can they still qualify fora tax credit? The CTC is only available for children ages 17 and younger with SSNs valid for employment in the U.S. Taxpayers may claim the non-refundable “credit for other dependents” for dependents who do not qualify for the CTC on this basis. This includes dependents over the age of 17, dependents who have ITINs, and other qualifying relatives living with the taxpayer whom they support (such as aging parents.) This credit reduces the taxes you owe by up to $500 per qualifying individual. 5. Will receiving the CTC affect my immigration status or my ability to get a green card? No, receiving the CTC or other tax credits that you are eligible for will not affect your immigration status, your ability to get a green card, or your future immigration plans. Use of tax credits is not considered in a“public charge” determination by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 6. How can I get an ITIN if I don’t already have one? To file for an ITIN, you can submit form W-7 with your tax return by either mailing in your form and supporting documents or locating an in-person processing center. If renewing an existing ITIN, you can complete the same form, Form W-7, without filing a tax return. • I would like to submit my application in person. Yo

FAQs

What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and what changed under the American Rescue Plan for 2021?

The CTC is a refundable tax credit for families with children 17 or under who are tax dependents. For tax year 2021, the American Rescue Plan expanded the credit and provides monthly payments starting in July 2021 instead of waiting for 2021 tax returns filed in 2022.

What are the income limits to receive the full CTC monthly benefit?

There is no minimum income required for tax year 2021, but there are upper limits for receiving the full benefit. The CTC begins to phase out above $150,000 for married couples and $112,500 for single parents filing as “head of household,” regarding eligibility for the full $250 or $300 monthly benefit.

Do CTC payments affect immigration status or green card eligibility, and are DACA recipients eligible?

Receiving the CTC or other eligible tax credits does not affect immigration status, ability to get a green card, or future immigration plans, and tax credits are not considered in a “public charge” determination. DACA recipients may be eligible for the CTC if they have valid SSNs for the children being claimed and, in some cases, if they are dependents of ITIN filers with valid SSNs.

Sep 19, 2026

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