Can you file taxes without income to get stimulus check

Americans have struggled during the pandemic, especially people with kids. The Child Tax Credit is here to help.

The deadline to sign up for monthly Child Tax Credit payments is November 15. The Administration collaborated with a non-profit, Code for America, who has created a non-filer sign-up tool that is easy to use on a mobile phone and also available in Spanish.

Here’s a link to the Code for America non-filer sign-up tool:

Most families are already signed up! If you’ve filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up with the Non-Filer tool last year to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you will get the monthly Child Tax Credit automatically. You do not need to sign up or take any action.

If you aren’t already signed up, you can still sign up to get the Child Tax Credit. You won’t lose your benefits if you do. These payments do not count as income for any family.  So, signing up won’t affect your eligibility for other federal benefits like SNAP and WIC.

You are also eligible to apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit, also known as stimulus payments, as part of this process.

The Administration collaborated with a non-profit, Code for America, who has created a non-filer sign-up tool that is easy to use on a mobile phone and also available in Spanish. If you have at least one qualifying child and earned less than $24,800 as a married couple, $18,650 as a Head of Household, or $12,400 as a single filer, you can use the Code for America sign-up tool to get the Child Tax Credit. You can also use the tool to receive missing stimulus payments, whether or not you have children.

Here’s a list of things you will need to complete the process.

• Social Security Social Security numbers for your children and Social Security Numbers (or ITIN) for you and your spouse
• A reliable mailing address
• E-mail address or phone number
• Your bank account information (if you want to receive your payment by direct deposit).

Here’s a link to the Code for America non-filer sign-up tool:

If you are eligible for the Child Tax Credit but don’t sign up for advance monthly payments by the November 15 deadline, you can still claim the full credit of up to $3,600 per child by filing your taxes next year.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Tax Credit for Non-Filers

If you have a bank account, you can sign-up for direct deposit of your monthly payments. If you receive your payment electronically, it will show up in your bank account labeled CHILDCTC. If not, simply enter the address where you’d like your payments mailed.

You can receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments even if you don’t have a permanent address. You can list a trusted address where you would like to temporarily receive your monthly checks, such as the address of a friend, relative, or trusted service provider like a shelter, drop-in day center, or transitional housing program.

If you don’t have a bank account, checks will be mailed to your address.

If you wish to open a bank account, visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for information on opening an account online.

Reloadable prepaid debit cards or mobile payment apps with routing and account numbers may also be an option.

No. Everyone who signs up and is eligible will receive the full Child Tax Credit benefits they are owed. If you sign up for monthly payments later in the year, your remaining monthly payments will be larger to reflect the payments you missed. If you do not sign up in time for monthly payments in 2021, you will receive the full benefit when you file your taxes in 2022.

You may be eligible for Child Tax Credit payments even if you have not filed taxes recently. Not everyone is required to file taxes.

This year, Americans were only required to file taxes if they earned $24,800 as a married couple, $18,650 as a Head of Household, or $12,400 as a single filer. If you had total income in 2020 below those levels, you can sign up to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments using simple tool for non-filers developed by the non-profit Code for America.

If you believe that your income in 2020 means you were required to file taxes, it’s not too late. In addition to missing out on monthly Child Tax Credit payments in 2021, a failure to file in 2020 could mean losing out on other tax benefits or a refund you were owed. For help filing a past due return, visit the IRS website.

No. Receiving Child Tax Credit payments will not change the amount you receive in other Federal benefits like unemployment insurance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF, WIC, Section 8, SSDI or Public Housing. The Child Tax Credit is not considered income for any family. So, these programs do not view tax credits as income.