Dear Neighbor,

The American Rescue Plan is putting shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools, and people in jobs all across the country. And we are just getting started.

Much of the vital support for workers and families we included in the American Rescue Plan is still on the way, including advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit.

Advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit will help set America’s children up for success and put more money in the pockets of hardworking parents sooner.

The Child Tax credit will support 27 million American children, including 122,400 children in the 11th District. The IRS could begin sending out advance monthly payments of up to $300 per child as soon as July.

How Much are the Child Tax Credit Advance Monthly Payments?

The American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit to up to $3,600 per child for children ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17. 

The American Rescue Plan also authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit through December 2021. Beginning as soon as July and running through December, qualifying families can get up to:

• $300 a month per child for children ages 0 to 5.
• $250 a month per child for children ages 6 to 17.

Families will get their remaining expanded Child Tax Credit when they file their 2021 tax return.

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit Advance Monthly Payments?

• Families will qualify for a full credit if their income is below $75,000 for single filers, $112,000 for people filing as head of household, or $150,000 for people who are married and filing jointly.
  
  
• To be eligible, children must:
  • Have a Social Security number,
  • Live with you for at least half of the year,
  • Be under age 18 as of December 31, 2021, and
  • Be claimed on your tax return.
    
    
• Children are eligible if they are your children, adopted children, stepchildren, half-siblings, foster children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or certain other relatives. The adult filing taxes must have a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

How Can Families Get Help Preparing and Filing their Taxes for Free?

Free tax preparation services are generally available until the tax filing deadline. Families should file their taxes before the May 17deadline even if they do not have earnings to report or do not normally file, because the IRS needs information from tax returns in order to calculate and issue advance monthly payments.

• Families can file taxes for free online through the IRS Free File program at https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/. 
• If the parent or caregiver of a family is aged 50 or older, they can use this AARP tool to find free tax help near them at https://secure.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action.

File your taxes by May 17 to start receiving your payments as soon as possible!

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other. As always, my office stands ready to help if you or a loved one need assistance. Please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071, or visit my website here.