As part of this week’s nationwide Child Tax Credit Awareness Day of Action, local legislators and educators reminded Southland residents about the federal program that offers monthly payments to eligible families.
President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the 2021 Child Tax Credit to support qualified families with children to $3,000 per child 6 to 17 years old and $3,600 per child under 6, beginning July 15.
The payments will be distributed in installments of up to $300 per month.
In a statement released on Monday, Biden said the tax cut “will give our nation’s hardworking families with children a little more breathing room when it comes to putting food on the table, paying the bills, and making ends meet. Nearly every working family with children is going to feel this tax cut make a difference in their lives, and we need to spread the word so that all eligible families get the full credit.
“Not only did the American Rescue Plan increase the child tax credit to $3,000 for families whose children are between 6-17 years old and $3,600 for families with children under 6 years old, it allows half of that tax cut to be paid to families in advance through a monthly check or direct deposit,” the president said. “This year, a family with two young children would receive a tax cut of $7,200, with a monthly payment of $600 starting in July. Almost all families who have filed taxes in the last two years will receive this tax cut automatically.”
“Across the nation, organizations that advocate for children, faith-based organizations and elected officials are holding events, training volunteers, announcing strategies to sign up the lowest-income families, and using social media to explain how the Child Tax Credit will cut child poverty and why we must extend it through the American Families Plan.”
Details about the Child Tax Credit and how to sign up can be found in both English and Spanish at ChildTaxCredit.Gov.
