the internal revenue service is mailing letters to households that could potentially get money from boosted child tax credit payments and the third stimulus check if only they filed a tax return the tax agency said it is sending out more than 9 million letters to get the word out the letters are going to households that typically haven’t filed tax returns because they are not earning enough income to necessitate filing a tax return filing a federal tax return is the way to access the 1400 third stimulus check as well as the beefed up child tax credit and also the earned income tax credit that became more generous for childless workers last year the child tax credit payout jumped from 2000 to 3600 for children under age 6 and 3000 for children between ages 6 and 17 the credit is reverting to its earlier sum this year but some advocates hope there will be a second round soon for the boosted payouts an individual’s threshold to turn in a 2021 federal return is at least 12550 income and 25100 for married couples in a time of fourdecade high inflation rates any extra cash unlocked by a 2021 tax return could be a very welcome windfall “we don’t want people to overlook these tax credits and the letters will remind people of their potential eligibility and steps they can take” irs commissioner charles rettig said in a statement about the letter being sent in english and spanish the mailing effort is similar to letters the agency sent out in fall 2020 urging approximately 9 million households to file a tax return and get the first stimulus check monday october 17 is the deadline to turn in tax returns after getting an extension but if taxpayers don’t owe any taxes they don’t face penalties for submitting a late return except they have three years from the original filing deadline to submit a return electronicallyfiled returns with a direct deposit refund are the quickest way to get the money the irs notes there’s a couple ways to send in returns one avenue is through the irs free file program which is now open through nov 17 households making less than 12500 and married couples making under 25000 can turn in a simplified tax return via a website the federal government built for the child tax credit payments wouldbe tax filers do not need to have children to use the form the irs said more information can be found here