re: 5 smart ways to use your upcoming child tax credit payments to get ahead

As I understand it, yes, it is basically an advance on the child tax credit that we already have. Some people are going to get unexpectedly hammered come next tax season because they don't realize this. I'm still debating opting out and just taking the credit as normal. I now it's essentially a wash, but hell if I want to write bigger check next year.