IRS child tax credits have a Web status check

By Mary Mosquera

Connecting state and local government leaders

| July 25, 2003

The IRS is mailing the more than 25 million checks in advance of a coming higher child tax credit and parents can track how much they will receive, and when, at irs.gov.<br>

The IRS today began mailing the more than 25 million checks in advance of a coming higher child tax credit. Most parents who claimed a credit on their 2002 tax returns will receive up to $400 per child. They can track how much they will receive, and when, at www.irs.gov.

Clicking on 'Where's My Advance Child Tax Credit?' will prompt for details from a taxpayer's 2002 return to check the status of the advance check (Click for July 7 GCN story). Debts owed to the government, such as back taxes or overdue college loans, reduce the amount of a child tax credit check, the IRS said.

The Web feature will post each taxpayer's information about 11 days before the check is mailed.

The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act increased the child tax credit to $1,000 from $600 for each qualifying child. It directed that taxpayers receive the increase this summer instead of waiting until they file 2003 returns.

'As long as we have a good mailing address, taxpayers don't have to do anything to get their checks,' IRS commissioner Mark Everson said. The IRS will figure the amount based on the 2002 return, he said.

Initial checks are going to those who filed early enough for the IRS to process their returns by early July. The mailing date depends on the last two digits of the taxpayer's Social Security number:

00 to 33 numbers are mailed July 25

34 to 66, mailed Aug. 1

67 to 99, mailed Aug. 8.

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