May 13, 2021

Kilmer Urges Washington Families to Take Action to Get Their Advance Child Tax Credits Payments As Soon As Possible

Over 40,000 Households in Washington’s Sixth Congressional District Could Get Up to $300 Per Child, Every Month, Beginning this Summer as Part of American Rescue Plan Kilmer Helped Pass

Tacoma, WA – U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) is urging Washington families to file their taxes before the upcoming May 17th deadline to ensure they receive the accurate amount they are eligible for in new advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments.

Kilmer and United Way of Pierce County CEO Dona Ponepinto spoke on Facebook Live on Wednesday about the impact of the Child Tax Credit on families in Washington’s Sixth Congressional District.

As part of the American Rescue Plan that Kilmer helped pass, families could get monthly payments of up to $300 per child beginning as soon as July. The Child Tax Credit intends to provide children and their families with additional payments throughout the year that helps them with the costs of food, childcare, diapers, healthcare, clothing, and taxes.

“As a dad of two kids, I know that every parent wants their child to have the love, care, and support they need to be happy and lead successful lives. But this pandemic has been really tough on families,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why I helped push for Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit – which will put more money in the pockets of hardworking parents to help families make ends meet and help set up our kids for success. This is a really big deal – and I’ll keep working to make the expansion of the Child Tax Credit permanent.”

In order to ensure eligible families receive their payments, Kilmer is encouraging families to file a 2020 tax return – even if they don’t have earnings to report or don’t normally file.  Doing so enables the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to have the information it needs from their tax returns and can calculate and issue advance monthly payments.

  • Over 122,000 children in WA-06 could benefit from the advance monthly payments. That’s over 86% of all children in WA-06.
  • Over 40,000 households in WA-06 could get an average total benefit of $2,800.
  • Families can get free help preparing and filing their taxes through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) at:
    • Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region
      714 S 27th Street
      Tacoma, WA 98409
      253-573-6709
      (Volunteer Prepared and Self-Prep - Appointment Required)
      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 the family 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 a filer’s 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.