Congressman Cleaver Explains Child Tax Credit Payment Arriving Today

Agree or disagree with the current stimulus efforts, it's important that people understand how to claim the money sent their way to help.

Accordingly, here's a local resource and insight into the funding . . .

Help Is Here: Expanded Child Tax Credit Payments Arriving Today

Hello Neighbor,

The American Rescue Plan continues to put shots in arms, money in pockets, and people in jobs throughout Missouri and all across the United States--and today there is more to come.
 
Families throughout the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri have already begun receiving their monthly payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit, which was passed by Congress with my support through the American Rescue Plan back in March.
 
According to data from the House Appropriations Committee, this working class tax cut has the potential to cut child poverty in half in the United States. According to the same data, the increased Child Tax Credit will provide desperately needed relief to nearly 49,000 families in our congressional district alone, covering 91% of all children and lifting 11,000 kids out of poverty.
 
Advance monthly payments of up to $300 per child every month through the end of the year will help set Missouri's children up for success by ensuring parents can pay for essentials like groceries, clothes, school supplies, childcare, and so much more.
 
Nearly all working families should automatically receive their monthly Child Tax Credit payments today, but I wanted to send some additional information about this substantial tax relief, who qualifies, and how much to expect in the coming months.

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 historic relief package also authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit through December 2021. Qualifying families will receive 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 the remaining half of their expanded Child Tax Credit when they file their 2021 tax return.
 

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit 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 the age of 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 Do I Get My Payment?
 
Nearly all families should receive their first monthly payment today with no further action required. If you have filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you will get this tax relief automatically.
 
Families who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020, and who did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to sign up for the Economic Impact Payments, should go online and visit IRS.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool to ensure you receive your payments.
 
Families who got their refunds from the IRS through direct deposit will get these payments in their bank accounts around the 15th of every month until the end of 2021. People who do not use direct deposit will receive their payments through the mail around the same time.
 
Families can determine their eligibility, check the status of their payments, and more at IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021 now.

Best,

Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
#################

Developing . . .