SimpleFile is not the only way to claim the NJ Child Tax Credit, but to use SimpleFile you must:

• Have been a full-year resident of New Jersey in 2025.
• Have made less than $20,000 in 2025 if filing with a spouse, or less than $10,000 if filing single.
• Have at least one dependent who was 5 or younger at the end of 2025 and lived with you for most of the year.

Yes, ITIN filers are eligible to claim this benefit, even if you no longer qualify for federal credits.

While everyone's situation is different, if you had earned income from wages or self-employment, you might be eligible for other credits, like the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit, and could benefit from filing full federal and state tax returns.

Using SimpleFile means you're filing a 2025 New Jersey state tax return.

One week after your return has been accepted, you can check the status of your refund on the New Jersey Division of Taxation website.

To verify your information, you must provide:

• Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and
• Your refund amount from Line 80 of your state tax return (New Jersey's Form NJ-1040), and
• Tax year of the return (2025)

Most taxpayers file a full federal and state tax return at the same time, by providing all of their household, income, and deduction information. By providing all this information, they can report any taxes owed or claim a refund with all the credits they are owed. In order to file a full return, you must have all of your tax documents, including W-2s and 1099s.

SimpleFile allows eligible individuals, who are not required to file, to claim the NJ Child Tax Credit by providing only their household information. You do not need your tax documents to complete this process.

Filing a full federal and state tax return may be a good option if you:

• Have all of your tax documents, and
• Had earned income during the year from a job or contract work

Filing a simplified state return may be a good option if you:

• Can't access your tax documents, or
• Didn't have earned income during the year from a job or contract work

SimpleFile protects your information using industry-standard security practices like strong encryption, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring of our systems. We regularly assess our risks, train our staff, and work with independent reviewers to confirm that our safeguards are effective and that your data stays private and secure.

The information on your tax return is securely sent to your state tax authority to process your refund. Your information is stored for three years as required by the state tax authority.

Click here to read our privacy policy.

SimpleFile is developed in partnership with the New Jersey Innovation Authority, the New Jersey Division of Taxation, and the nonprofit Code for America.

You can return to SimpleFile at simplefile.getyourrefund.org. SimpleFile offers live chat support through the "Get Help" button at the bottom right corner of the page.

How to Claim the New Jersey Child Tax Credit with SimpleFile