Families Should File Taxes Before May 17 to Get Advance Child Tax Credits

Source: Office of Rep. Salud Carbajal

Rep. Carbajal is urging families on the Central Coast to file their taxes before the upcoming May 17th deadline to ensure they quickly receive the maximum amount they are entitled to in new advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments.

One of the vital measures to support workers and families that was included in the American Rescue Plan is an expansion of the Child Tax Credit, a historic investment in the future of our country. The Child Tax Credit expansion means low-income and working class families will get $300 per child under 6 and $250 per child aged 7-17 to help cover the expenses that set children up for success. 

“I came from a low-income family, so I know that $300 a month would have lifted a financial burden off my parents’ shoulders — who, like many of the families I represent, worked so hard to give me and my siblings a chance at a better life,” said Rep. Carbajal.“I was proud to support the American Rescue Plan to ensure our Central Coast working families are taken care of.”

In California’s 24th Congressional District, this expansion of the tax credit will benefit 85% of our children. It will lift 11,200 children out of poverty, including 5300 under the age six. The average benefit for nearly 40,000 Central Coast families will be $2900.

Even individuals who lost their job during the pandemic or do not normally file taxes should file this year to receive the credit. The IRS needs the information from tax returns to calculate and issue the monthly Child Tax Credit payments. 

Advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit will start to be sent out in July and last through December 2021. Families will get the remaining credit when they file their 2021 tax return. Families can make sure they get an accurate payment quickly by filing their 2020 tax return as soon as possible.  

Some Americans may even be able to file for free at IRS.gov/FreeFile. You can learn more about the Child Tax Credit and how to apply here. Click here to watch Rep. Carbajal speak on the House floor in support of the Child Tax Credit.