Rep. Donald Payne To NJ-10 Families: Claim New Child Tax Credit – Patch.com

NEW JERSEY — A U.S. congressman from New Jersey is advising families in his district to make sure they claim a new, $300-per-month child credit in this year’s tax returns.

According to Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of the 10th District, the new credit is part of the federal American Rescue Plan, which he voted for in February. The payments will start in July for qualified families (see more details below).

Payne represents the state’s 10th Congressional District, which includes the following towns in Essex, Hudson and Union County: Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, West Orange, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hillside, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, and Union Township.

“These child tax credit payments will help American families support their children through the pandemic,” Payne said, adding that the money can be used for food, clothing and other necessary living expenses.

Payne said that eligible families should file a 2020 tax return to receive payments faster, even if they do not have earnings to report or do not file taxes normally. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses the information from tax returns to calculate and distribute the advance monthly payments to families.

Payne provided the following information about the new tax credit.

How Much are the Child Tax Credit Advance Monthly Payments?

The American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit to up to $3,600 per child for children ages zero to 5 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17.

Also, the American Rescue Plan authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit through December 2021. Beginning as soon as 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 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
  • Be claimed on your tax return

Children are eligible if they are your children, adopted children, stepchildren, half-siblings, foster children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or certain other relatives. The adult filing taxes must have a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

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.

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