John,

One of the most important and successful poverty-reduction measures written into our tax code is the Child Tax Credit. And right now, an expansion of this benefit is included in Democrats’ COVID relief plans.

We need to ensure it is as robust as possible, to reach tens of millions more children. And if we can get it enacted into law this year, that will give momentum to make this benefit permanent.

Sign the petition to Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to reach more families and lift millions out of poverty.

As currently being considered, the CTC expansion “would lift 4.1 million children above the poverty line — cutting the number of children in poverty by more than 40 percent,” according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. It would also “make the full [tax] credit available to 27 million children.”[1]

This expansion of the Child Tax Credit would reach millions more Black and Latino children who don’t currently receive the full tax credit because their parents don’t earn enough. But the new expansion provides an important fix that will allow it to reach millions more families in need.

At its highest levels, it would increase from $2,000 to $3,600 per child younger than 6 years old, and to $3,000 per child up to 17.

As Child Tax Credit champion Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said:

“The moment is here to make dramatic cuts in child poverty that could improve the lives and the future of millions of children.”[2]

Join Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund in calling on Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to lift millions of children and families out of poverty and to reach millions impacted by the pandemic-caused recession.

According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, this expansion of the CTC would give a family making an average of $11,000 a year about an extra $1,100 in their pockets. A family making about $30,000 a year would get about $800 more. A family making around $51,000 would get an extra $660 this year.[3]

This is one of the most important tax measures we have available to address poverty―and it is needed now more than ever. Together, let’s implore Congress to act.

Thank you,

Mark Rickling
Policy and Legislative Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] “House Ways and Means COVID Relief Bill Includes Critical Expansions of Child Tax Credit and EITC,” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Feb. 9, 2021

[2] “Democrats to Unveil Up to $3,600 Child Tax Credit as Part of Stimulus Bill,” The New York Times, Feb. 7, 2021

[3] “Details of House Democrats’ Cash Payments and Tax Credit Expansions,” Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Feb. 9, 2021