IRS adds address change capability to Child Tax Credit portal

The Internal Revenue Service added a new feature Friday to its online portal for the Child Tax Credit allowing parents to update the mailing address where they should receive the monthly payments.

The new feature will enable any family that opts to receive their payment through a paper check to avoid mailing delays or have a check returned as undeliverable. To ensure the change in address takes effect in time for the September advance payment on the Child Tax Credit, the IRS is advising parents to submit any changes before midnight Eastern Time on Monday, Aug. 30. Any changes made before that time will apply to the Sept. 15 payment and all subsequent monthly payments, scheduled for Oct. 15, Nov. 15, and Dec. 15.

The expanded Child Tax Credit was included as part of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act in March in hopes of cutting in half the rate of child poverty in the U.S. Families can receive up to $3,000 or $3,600 per child, depending on their age. Eligible families can receive advance payments of the tax credit, either by direct deposit or check. Each payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under the age of six and up to $250 per month for each child ages six through 17.

In most cases, the IRS is relying on prior tax returns and sending out automatic payments, but for those families who don’t normally file taxes or need to update their information, the IRS set up an online portal in June as a way to help families register the information (see story). It has been adding new features, including the ability to opt out of the payments for those families who worry that they could end up owing money if the IRS sent too much.