Davids Joins Local Parents, Advocates as Child Tax Credit Payments Begin Reaching Kansas Families

KANSAS CITY, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids held a press conference on the expanded Child Tax Credit as new monthly payments begin reaching families' bank accounts on Thursday. Rep. Davids was joined by Paula Neth, CEO of The Family Conservancy, and Crystal Henry, a local parent from the Kansas Third District to discuss how the expanded Child Tax Credit will help Kansas families recover from the pandemic. They also shared new resources for families to check their eligibility, track payments, update their information with the IRS, and more.

Davids voted in support of the American Rescue Plan, which expanded and improved the Child Tax Credit to provide more relief to more families through monthly advance payments of up to $300 per child. In a report released last month, Davids announced that this tax cut will benefit 77% of children in the Kansas Third District, and more than 618,000 kids across the state. As the IRS begins to send out monthly payments starting July 15, it is important that eligible families have all the information needed to receive this benefit.

"After the pandemic devastated both the health of our communities and the stability of our economy, the expanded Child Tax Credit offers a lifeline to families who are trying to get back on their feet," said Davids. "Through the American Rescue Plan, over 45,000 households in the Third District will begin receiving monthly payments this week, with an average annual benefit of $2,700. It's critical that families have the information they need to access this tax cut and start to return to a sense of normal after a year of uncertainty."

"The expanded Child Tax Credit is essential for families to provide for their children during their most formative years," said Paula Neth, CEO of the Family Conservancy in Kansas City, KS. "My organization works to create equitable opportunities for all children to thrive. The CTC does exactly that while also easing the burden brought on by the pandemic. This past year has been tough, and I am hopeful that these funds can bring a sense of security for the kids in our community."

"A year and a half ago, no one would have imagined the struggle all of our families have endured over the past year," said Crystal Henry, local Merriam parent. "While the Child Tax Credit may not make up for the experiences our kids have lost, it will help set my family and others in our community up for success as our country begins to heal. I am incredibly thankful for Representative Davids' work in voting for this tax cut for Kansas families."

The IRS recently launched three new online tools designed to help families manage and monitor their advance monthly payments from the Child Tax Credit:

1. The Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant which helps families determine whether they qualify for Child Tax Credit payments.
2. The Update Portal which helps families monitor and manage Child Tax Credit payments. The portal is a secure tool available to any eligible family, and will be where filers can let the IRS know of any changes in their income, address, or family status.
3. The Non-filer Sign-up Tool which helps families not normally required to file an income tax return to quickly register for the Child Tax Credit.

More information on the Child Tax Credit (CTC):

The American Rescue Plan expanded the CTC to up to $3,600 per child for children ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17. In addition, it authorized advance monthly payments for eligible families (as opposed to a lump sum payment). Beginning this week 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 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 the filer for at least half of the year,
• Be under age 18 as of December 31, 2021, and
• Be claimed on the filer's tax return.
  

Children are eligible if they are children, adopted children, stepchildren, half-siblings, foster children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or certain other relatives.

For information on how the American Rescue Plan directly helps Kansas, visit Davids' resource page. To read Davids' Child Tax Credit report on the impact on Kansas families, click here.