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AMSTERDAM, NY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko is cheering on hardworking families as part of Child Tax Credit Awareness Day today, and issued a video statement encouraging them to be on the lookout for advance monthly payments of up to $300 per child under the newly-improved Child Tax Credit—part of the American Rescue Plan that Tonko helped advance to bring relief to families hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The monthly payments are scheduled to start July 15th and continue at least through December.

Under the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit:

• More than 37,000 NY-20 households could get up to $300 per month, per child for the rest of this year, and even more when they file their taxes next year
• 5,200 Capital Region children will be lifted out of poverty

Watch Rep. Tonko’s video statement HERE or read his remarks below:

Hi, I’m Paul Tonko, Congressman for New York’s 20th District, and I’m delighted to share some good news with you today.

As part of our American Rescue Plan, nearly every working family in our Capital Region will be receiving a Monthly Child Tax Credit Payment starting on July 15th and again each month at least through the end of 2021.

Here in New York’s 20th district, more than 37,000 of you will automatically start receiving $300 every month, per child for the rest of the year, and possibly even more when you file your taxes next year.

I’m proud of our work to strengthen America’s Child Tax Credit and lift more than 5,000 kids across our Capital Region out of poverty. This alone is expected to cut child poverty in America in half.

Not only that, I’m thrilled to be able to put more money in the hands of hardworking parents to help pay for child care or put gas in the car so you can go to work helping rebuild our communities and our economy.

Find out more, including whether you may be eligible for this expanded tax credit, at ChildTaxCredit.gov.

Spread the word, stay safe and thanks for all you do.

Families who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to sign up for the Economic Impact Payments, should go online and use the IRS Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool to sign up today.

How Much Is the Child Tax Credit Expansion from the American Rescue Plan?

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 in 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?

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.

How Do I Get My Payment?

• Nearly all hardworking families should get their monthly payments automatically beginning July 15thwith no further action required. If you’ve filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you will get this tax relief automatically. You do not need to sign up or take any action.
• Families who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to sign up for the Economic Impact Payments, should go online and use the IRS Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool to sign up today.
• Families who got their refunds from the IRS through direct deposit will get these payments in their bank account around the 15th of every month until the end of 2021.People who don’t use direct deposit will receive their payment by mail around the same time.
• Families will be able to determine their eligibility, check the status of their payments and more at IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021 later this month.

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