Wasserman Schultz Urges Hardworking Families: File Taxes Before May 17 to Get Advance Child Tax Credit Payments ASAP from American Rescue Plan

Up to 44,800 Households in District 23 Could Get Up to $300 Per Child Every Month Starting this Summer But Families Should File Taxes before May 17th to Get Their Payments as Soon as Possible

Washington, May 12, 2021
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) is urging all hardworking families in District 23 to file their taxes before the upcoming May 17th deadline to ensure they receive the accurate amount in new advance monthly Child Tax Credit

Sunrise, Fla. – Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) is urging all hardworking families in District 23 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 that Wasserman Schultz helped pass, families could get monthly payments of up to $300 per child beginning as soon as July. The best way to ensure eligible families receive 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 to calculate and issue advance monthly payments.

“These advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit will set America’s children up for success and put more money in the pockets of hardworking parents sooner, to help pay for childcare, groceries, or gas in the car. These payments will curb child poverty, and at the same time, help fuel our economy while building better lives for their families,” said Wasserman Schultz. “The best way to make sure you and your family get the correct amount, as soon as possible, is to file a 2020 tax return, before May 17th – even if you don’t normally file.”

The impacts in District 23 alone would be substantial for area families:

  • As many as 135,700 children in District 23 could benefit from the advance monthly payments, or a stunning 80% of all children who reside there.
  • Nearly 45,000 households in District 23 could get an average total benefit of $2,400. 

Families can get free help preparing and filing their taxes at these locations:

  • Hispanic Unity-Carter Park at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
    Appointment Only
    954-678-6882; Volunteer Prepared Taxes
    Get Directions and Service Details
  • GT108 - Lageho Community Development Network at 3500 N State Road 7 Suite 300-6, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
    305-999-1219
    Volunteer Prepared Taxes
    Get Directions and Service Details

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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