1021 Publ 5534-E (PDF)

Official source: IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5534e.pdf), retrieved 2026-10-03. U.S. Government work (17 U.S.C. § 105).

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If you need to …. Then use this tool

Check your eligibility for the Child Tax Credit

Register for advance payments of the Child Tax Credit if you don’t normally have to file a tax return

Verify your identity before using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal

Unenroll from advance payments of the child tax credit

The Eligibility Assistant helps you determine if you might be eligible for advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. Available in English and Spanish.

The Non-filer Sign-up Tool helps people who normally don’t have to file a tax return complete a simplified return to get advance Child Tax Credit payments, the Recovery Rebate Credit and Economic Impact Payments.

Go to the Child Tax Credit Update Portal and click “Manage Advance Payments.” If you are a new user, you must create an ID.me account at the IRS and verify your identity. If you have an existing account with the IRS, use your Secure Access username and password and enter the security code as part of the multi-factor authentication (MFA) process. If you have an existing account with ID.me from a state government or federal agency, you may use your email and password and complete MFA. ID.me is a trusted third party.

You can use the Child Tax Credit Update Portal to unenroll at any time from automatic payments if you:

• prefer to claim the full credit when filing your 2021 tax return, or

• you know you’re not eligible because your situation changed for 2021.

Manage bank account The IRS will issue payments to the bank account you included on your 2020 or information 2019 tax return or to an account known to the federal government, such as an account where you receive Social Security, veterans or railroad retirement benefits. Those who are not enrolled for direct deposit will receive a mailed check. Use the Child Tax Credit Update Portal if you need to update your bank account information or add a bank account.

View your payment history After payments are issued, the Child Tax Credit Update Portal tool will show your payment dates and amounts.

Update your mailing address You can use the Child Tax Credit Update Portal to update your address.

Report updates that could affect your payment amounts

Starting in early fall, the IRS plans a series of updates to the Child Tax Credit Update Portal to allow you to report updates that affect your payment amounts such as changes to:

• number of qualifying children

• marital status

• income

• custody agreement

If your situation has changed in 2021, updating this information will help you get the most accurate amount of advance payments.

Publication 5534-E (Rev. 10-2021) Catalog Number 48595K Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov