Economic Stimulus Payment Tool

Let’s begin!
Start at IRS.gov. From the IRS.gov homepage, select “Get Answers on the Advance Child Tax Credit.”

You’ll reach the page called “Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021.” In the Non-filers section, click
“Enter Your Information” to begin.

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Confirm you can use the Non-filers Sign-up Tool. Carefully review the information on the
screen to make sure you can use the tool. If so, click on “Get Started.”

Create an account. Review the privacy statement. Then, to create your account, enter your email
address and create a user ID and password. Enter a cell phone number if you’d like.
A cell phone number is not required but is recommended to use the non-filer tool. A cell
phone number is important for your security when using this tool. A cell phone number
provides IRS with more information about the individuals filing the simplified return to
validate the return itself. Also, it provides another avenue for you to securely access the
tool using Multi-Factor Authentication, where a code can be sent to your cell phone.
Without a cell phone number, account access for a forgotten password or when accessing
from a new device can only be accomplished via the email address provided.
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If you enter a phone number, you’ll get an option to receive a six-digit verification code in a
text message. If you’re not able to receive text messages, uncheck that box.
Once you’ve entered your information, click “Create Account.”
If you already created an account and are returning to the tool, click the “Sign In” button or
the “I forgot my user ID or password” link as needed.

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If you entered a phone number on the “Create an Account” screen, you will receive a text
message with a six-digit code. Enter that code on the “Check your phone” screen.

(555) 555-5555

Account confirmation. This screen confirms you successfully created an account. You can
print it and write your password, if you’d like, for your records. Click “Continue.”

You will receive an email from [email protected]. Before you can e-file your
simplified return, you’ll need to confirm your email address from this message. That step is covered later
in this guide.
Select “Continue” on either of these pages. You will be directed to a “Step 1” screen where you
will input your information to register for the payment.

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STEP 1 page: Fill out your tax forms.
Remember to enter 2020 information. This tool creates a simplified 2020 tax return which will register you
for advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.
On the first section of this page, take the following steps:
9 Select your filing status (Single or Married filing jointly). Use your status as of the end of 2020.
Alert: If you were married at the end of 2020, the Non-filers Sign-up Tool
requires that you use it with your spouse and include your spouse’s information.
If you were married at the end of 2020 and your spouse is not using this tool with
you, you must file a tax return using other options. Visit IRS.gov/filing/e-fileoptions for additional information.
9 Enter your personal information, including your Social Security number (and your
spouse’s, if you select “Married filing jointly),” and your current address. 

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In the middle section of this page,
9 Check the box if someone can claim you or your spouse as a dependent.
9 Enter the names of any dependents born before 2021 and their Social Security
number or their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or Adoption Taxpayer
Identification Number issued by the IRS. If you have more than four dependents,
click the “Add” box to enter more.
9 If the IRS has sent an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) for any
of your dependents, enter the IP PIN on the appropriate line for that dependent.
9 Check the “Qualifies for CTC” box only if your child qualifies for the 2020 Child Tax
Credit. If you need more information about eligibility, click the question mark above this
column. 

On the bottom part of this page:
9 In the “Recovery Rebate Credit” section, enter the amount of the Recovery Rebate
Credit you should claim, based on the results of using the worksheet from the
instructions. 
9 Complete your bank information if you want your payments as direct deposit to a bank
account. You may also use a banking app or a reloadable debit card but check with
the issuer to ensure you are including the correct routing and account information. It
may not be the number on the card. If you don’t enter bank information, the IRS will
mail your payments as checks or pre-paid debit cards to the address you entered
above.
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9 Double check your routing and account numbers for accuracy.
9 Enter an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) for you or your
spouse, if applicable.

Then select “Continue to Step 2” to advance to the next screen.

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STEP 2 page: Verifications and signatures to e-file your tax forms:
Now that you’ve created a simplified 2020 tax return to register for advance payments of the
Child Tax Credit, you must sign your tax return and file it.
The form asks for your 2019 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your tax return, or your fivedigit self-selected signature PIN.
If you didn’t file a tax return last year, enter “0” for last year’s AGI. If you used the IRS Nonfilers tool last year, enter “1” for last year’s AGI. Then continue to the next section, where you’ll
electronically sign the tax return by creating a five-digit PIN, enter your date of birth, and enter
your driver’s license or state-issued ID data if you have this type of identification.

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For the last step on this page, you’ll need to verify your email address if you haven’t already from the
verification email you received when you created your account. In your email account, look for a
verification email from [email protected].
Follow the directions in the message to confirm your email address. The Non-filer Sign-up Tool will
confirm that you’ve verified your email address. You can click the “Update Your Account” link at the
bottom of the Step 2 page to confirm that you’ve verified your email address.

Click “Continue” to return to the Non-filers Sign-up Tool.
You can complete filing by clicking the “Continue to E-File” button at the bottom of the
Step 2 page. After you click “Continue to e-File,” you’ll see a pop-up with a disclosure
statement.

Review the information and check the box if you agree. If you need to review your
information, click “Back to Forms.” If you’re ready to submit your information to the IRS,
click “File Now.”
After you register
You will receive an e-mail from Customer Service at Free File Fillable Forms, a trusted
IRS partner. The email will either acknowledge you have successfully submitted your
information or tell you there is a problem and how to correct it.
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