WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today announced that the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit may help 110,500 children in Maryland’s 8th District by providing families with regular, monthly payments throughout the year to help with the costs of food, child care, diapers, healthcare, clothing and more. Starting as soon as July, most families with children can receive up to $300 per month for every child under six and up to $250 per month for every child under 18. Rep. Raskin urges Maryland families to file their federal taxes by the impending May 17th federal tax filing deadline to ensure they receive the new advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments if they are eligible.
How Does the Child Tax Credit Help 8th District Families?
- 110,500 children in MD-08 could benefit from the advance monthly payments. That’s 62.8% of all children in the 8th District.
- 36,700 households in MD-08 could get an average total benefit of $2,500.
- Families with children in poverty will receive an average total benefit of $3,900.
- 5,600 children in MD-08 will be uplifted out of poverty, including 2,100 kids under the age of 6.
- 900 children in MD-08 will be uplifted out of deep poverty.
To ensure eligible families receive their payments, Marylanders should file a 2020 tax return by the May 17th federal deadline – 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 the advance monthly payments. Families can get free help preparing and filing their taxes here.
Today, Rep. Raskin named United Way of Frederick County President and CEO Ken Oldham the 8th District Local Hero of the week in recognition of the organization’s free tax assistance and other efforts to connect working families with the Child Tax Credit and additional tax breaks for working families that were included in the American Rescue Plan. You can watch their discussion here and learn more about free tax services below.
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.
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is open to those who earned $57,000 or less in 2020.
- For VITA in Frederick County, click here.
- For VITA in Carroll County, click here.
- For VITA in Montgomery County, click here.
- File taxes for free online through the IRS Free File program here.
- If the tax filer is aged 50 or older, click here to use an AARP tool to find free tax help nearby.
How Did the American Rescue Plan Improve the Child Tax Credit?
- The American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to up to $3,600 per child for children under the age of 6 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17.
- Previously, 17-year-olds were not eligible but they now qualify thanks to the American Rescue Plan.
- The American Rescue Plan also authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit, rather than at just tax time. From July 2021 through December 2021, qualifying families can get up to:
- $300 a month per child for children under the age of 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 biological children, adopted children, stepchildren, half-siblings, foster children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or certain other relatives who are dependents. The adult filing taxes must have a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
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