WASHINGTON, D.C., Fla. — The Biden administration says there are billions of dollars on the table for families with kids but first, families need to file their taxes to get a piece of it.
Tuesday, the White House kicked off a new outreach campaign to get families to file their taxes so they can receive these remaining child tax credit benefits.
The Biden administration says more than 30 million families have already benefited from this program.
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“These tax credits are already making a difference,” said Vice President Kamala Harris.
The White House says the enhanced child tax credit is already helping kids nationwide, and it has kept millions out of poverty during the pandemic.
On child tax credits, @PressSec says "We know how effective it is, it helped cut child poverty" and she adds it gave families more breathing room during the pandemic.
— Kirstin Garriss (@ReporterGarriss) February 8, 2022
“In fact, thanks to the child tax credit, we are on a path to cut child poverty in America by 40%. That bears repeating. We are on a path to cut child poverty by 40%. This is historic,” said Harris.
The Biden administration says majority of families are eligible to receive $3,000 per child between the ages 6-17 years old and $3,600 per child under 6 with the tax credits.
A recent Census Bureau survey shows families who received the credit used it for school expenses or paying down debit.
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The White House says it is partnering with nonprofits and community groups to encourage families to file their taxes.
In the Build Back Better Act, there were plans to extend this enhanced program for at least one more year but all Senate Republicans opposed the plan and even Democratic Senator Joe Manchin expressed concern about the price tag for the program.
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In a new statement from his office, a spokesperson said “Sen. Manchin has always supported the existing child tax credit that is still in place despite the pandemic emergency enhancement sunsetting at the end of 2021. He continues to support policies that reward hard working families as the effects of costly inflation and taxes strain their budgets.”
If you received the child tax credit, the Biden administration says it won’t have an impact on your eligibility for other federal benefits.
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