On Friday, July 10, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the launch of SimpleFile, a free-to-use website that will aid thousands of lower-income New Jersey families quickly apply for the Garden State’s refundable Child Tax Credit.
SimpleFile was created from a partnership between the New Jersey Innovation Authority, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation and Code for America. The goal of the website is to help lower-income families claim credits that they may qualify for but may be forgotten if they do not have to file taxes. The website allows families to claim the Child Tax Credit in just 15 minutes.
“Helping more New Jersey families benefit from our state’s Child Tax Credit is one of the most direct ways we can make life more affordable, because every dollar matters for parents who need childcare, groceries, clothes, and other essentials,” said Governor Sherrill. “While the federal government strips free tax filing away from families across the country, New Jersey is doing the opposite. We fought to expand our state’s Child Tax Credit in this year’s budget, and children across New Jersey will benefit from that increase starting next year. SimpleFile makes sure families can access the credit they qualify for today and turns a budget win into real money in the hands of our families.”
The use of SimpleFile builds on the promise to make New Jersey more affordable and the state’s government more accessible. For the FY2027 budget, the Child Tax Credit has expanded from $1,000 per year to $1,250 per year. There are already 200,000 families that claim the credit each year, though, SimpleFile is meant to serve as a way to help families that qualify for the credit, but have not yet claimed it.
“Navigating tax season can be overwhelming for many families. SimpleFile provides a clear, convenient way to apply for the Child Tax Credit, particularly for low-income residents not required to file taxes,” said State Treasurer Aaron Binder. “Our goal is for every eligible family to apply for and receive this vital benefit.”
SimpleFile is the latest action by the Sherrill administration to ensure that the children of New Jersey are able to receive the support to which they are owed. Recently, Governor Sherrill delivered Summer EBT benefits to over 681,000 eligible children to make sure that no child goes hungry once school is out of session.
Governor Sherrill’s implementation of SimpleFile allows eligible New Jersey residents to easily claim the tax credits that are owed to them. SimpleFile makes it easier for residents to access their benefits, helping encourage more people to claim them.