The Child Tax Credit: What You Need to Know

By Emily Kirkland

Last week, 750,000 families in Arizona began receiving the #ChildTaxCredit! If you have a kid under 6, you’ll start getting monthly payments of $300. If you have a kid under $17, you’ll get $250. 

Not a single Republican voted for this program. Here’s what you need to know:

-If you’re eligible (making less than $200,000 a year, or $400,000 for married couples) and you got a stimulus check or a 2019 or 2020 tax refund, the IRS has your info on file. Payments should have already started showing up via check or direct deposit!

-If you didn’t file taxes in 2019 or 2020, fill out this IRS form. Head’s up – it doesn’t work well on a mobile phone. There may be free resources available to help you get it filled out – we’ll share some info on that soon!

-You can use the money however you like. There are no restrictions. 

-This program was passed by Democrats in the US Senate and the US House signed by President Biden. It will cut child poverty in half. Not a single Republican voted in favor of it! 

-Right now, the program is scheduled to end in December. But it could be extended for four years or made permanent as part of the budget negotiations happening in DC right now. Senators Sinema and Kelly need to make it a priority to keep this program in place!