Governor Mikie Sherrill today announced the launch of SimpleFile, a free online tool designed to help thousands of lower-income New Jersey families quickly apply for the state’s refundable Child Tax Credit.
The new, mobile-friendly website was developed through a partnership between the New Jersey Innovation Authority, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation, and Code for America. It is intended to help eligible families who may not be required to file taxes claim tax credits they are entitled to receive.
According to the state, eligible residents who had a child age 5 or younger in 2025 can complete the application in approximately 15 minutes. The website is available in both English and Spanish.
“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,” Governor Sherrill said. “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 announcement comes as the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget expands the maximum Child Tax Credit from up to $1,000 this year to as much as $1,250 next year. More than 200,000 New Jersey families currently claim the credit annually, and officials say SimpleFile is aimed at reaching thousands more who qualify but have not yet filed.
State officials also noted that the launch follows the recent distribution of Summer EBT benefits to more than 681,000 eligible children across New Jersey.
The website was introduced after the federal government announced plans to end the IRS Direct File program, a free tax filing service previously available to millions of Americans. State officials said the new platform is intended to provide an accessible alternative for eligible New Jersey families seeking to claim state tax benefits.
Eligible residents can determine whether they qualify and apply through the state’s new SimpleFile website.
