Governor Mikie Sherrill announces that eligible families now have until November 16 to claim the state’s Child Tax Credit through the free SimpleFile program.
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Friday, October 9, that eligible families have additional time to claim up to $1,000 for each qualifying child age five or younger through the state’s Child Tax Credit program.
The deadline for using SimpleFile, a free online filing tool designed to help lower-income families access the benefit, has been extended to November 16, 2026.
The money can help families cover everyday expenses, including groceries, housing, and childcare.
Who Qualifies for the Credit?
The New Jersey Child Tax Credit is available to eligible residents with taxable income of $80,000 or less. The amount depends on household income and can range from $200 to $1,000 per qualifying child for tax year 2025.
Families with taxable income of $30,000 or less may qualify for the maximum $1,000 per child.
Children must have been age five or younger at the end of 2025, and additional tax eligibility requirements apply.
SimpleFile Makes Applying Easier
SimpleFile was launched in July 2026 to help families who might otherwise miss out on tax benefits because their income is too low to require filing a regular tax return.
The free online application takes approximately 15 minutes and is available in English and Spanish.
To use SimpleFile, applicants generally must have lived in New Jersey throughout 2025, earned less than $10,000 if filing individually or less than $20,000 if filing jointly, and not already filed a tax return for the year.
Families with higher incomes may still qualify for the Child Tax Credit but generally need to claim it through a regular New Jersey income tax return rather than SimpleFile.
Will the Payment Affect Other Benefits?
According to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, receiving this credit through SimpleFile will not reduce benefits from programs such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or TANF.
This provision is particularly important for households already receiving public assistance.
How to Apply
Eligible residents can visit SimpleFile.NJ.gov to review the requirements and complete the application.
The deadline is November 16, 2026.
State officials are encouraging qualifying families to take advantage of the extended filing period and claim money they may already be entitled to receive.
Sources: NJ Division of Taxation — SimpleFile | NJ Child Tax Credit | Governor Sherrill — X
By NJ RADAR Team