Huffman: Child tax credits helped many

As another round of Child Tax Credits hit bank accounts earlier this month, Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced that Democrats will have delivered approximately $152.9 million in tax cuts hardworking families in California’s Second Congressional District this year.

The expanded Child Tax Credit has helped over 103,000 children according to new estimates from the Joint Economic Committee. And many of these families will see even more tax cuts when they file their taxes next year.

“House Democrats worked hard to secure these automatic payments, which put more money in the pockets of hardworking parents to pay for childcare, groceries, and more so they can go to work and help fuel our economy, all while building better lives for their families,” said Rep. Huffman.

“Republicans can claim to be the party of family values, but none of them voted for the American Rescue Plan, which included these essential payments. The Child Tax Credit has been a game changer for hundreds of thousands of California families, putting more of their own money back in their pockets each month to afford rising costs – and Democrats will keep pushing to expand the tax credit through the Build Back Better Act.”

“As a father of two, the credit has helped us a lot. In such an uncertain time, it has allowed us to buy food as costs have increased but my wages haven’t. While many families lost their jobs, we have been able to work – but not as continuously as we would like. The pandemic has changed everyone's routines, schedules, and needs. Having this help has made a huge difference,” said Marco of Novato, CA.

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 that tax cut beginning in July and running through December 2021 - allowing families to get up to $300 a month per child for children ages 0 to 5 or $250 a month per child for children ages 6 to 17 each month. Families will get their remaining expanded Child Tax Credit when they file their 2021 tax return next year.