Millions of Americans who've never filed a tax return will need to do so this year to claim what's coming to them under the enhanced child tax credit.

President Joe Biden and leading Democratic lawmakers, including Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, have been fighting to make permanent a child tax credit that would give families at least $300 a month per child.

The first of six child tax credit payments to parents will hit bank accounts and mailboxes on July 15. Some families may absolutely need the money now to pay bills. That is why President Biden pushed the advance payments. If you don’t need it, there are several reasons you may want to opt-out of receiving the early payments.

The Internal Revenue Service has launched two new online tools designed to help parents manage their monthly child tax credit payments.

Starting this summer, the federal government is sending money to parents with children as part of the expanded child tax credit. The child tax credit is not new. Parents can claim a $2,000 credit per child when you file your taxes. What is new this year is that the credit is much higher for certain families and you don't have to wait until you file your 2021 taxes to get it.