May 11, 2021

Rep. Mike Levin Urges Hardworking Families to File Taxes Before May 17 to Get Their Advance Child Tax Credit Payments As Soon As Possible

38,300 Households in CA-49 Could Get Up to $300 Per Child Every Month Beginning this Summer as Part of American Rescue Plan

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) is urging hardworking families in CA-49 to file their taxes before the upcoming May 17th deadline to ensure they receive the accurate amount in new advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments they are entitled to as soon as possible. 

As part of the American Rescue Plan Rep. Levin helped pass, families could get monthly payments of up to $300 per child beginning as soon as July. Rep. Levin says the best way to ensure eligible families receive their payments is to file a 2020 tax return – even if they don’t have earnings to report or don’t normally file – because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) needs information from tax returns in order to calculate and issue advance monthly payments.

  • 124,800 children in CA-49 could benefit from the advance monthly payments. That’s 68.9% of all children in CA-49.
  • 38,300 households in CA-49 could get an average total benefit of $2,700.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant strain on working families, and with the advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit, we are placing money into hardworking parents’ pockets to help lift America’s children out of poverty, and setting them up for success,” said Rep. Levin. “To ensure your family receives the correct amount, be sure to file a 2020 tax return before May 17 – even if you don’t normally file. I was proud to pass this relief as part of the American Rescue Plan, and I’m determined to make sure that all local families receive the full benefits they need and deserve.”

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 17th deadline 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.

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