Since its creation in 1997, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) has been a family support, providing tax relief and greater financial stability to households with dependent children in the form of an annual tax refund. It has been, and continues to be, a critical anti-poverty tool – backed by Republicans and Democrats - for families in every county and district across the US. 

Improvements to the Child Tax Credit in 2017 and 2021 supported low- to moderate-income families and individuals. The credit improved financial security, cut poverty, and boosted efforts to build thriving communities. Moving forward, efforts should be made in the new tax bill to expand the Child Tax Credit to benefit the roughly 19 million children shut out from receiving the full credit simply because their families do not make enough money, including making the full credit available to children in families with low incomes and increasing the maximum amount of the credit to $3,600 for children aged 5 and younger and $3,000 for children aged 6 to 17. Modest expansion of the credit can measurably reduce poverty, and we encourage you to strengthen the CTC in the forthcoming tax legislation.

Our country is strong only when all communities are strong. An enhanced Child Tax Credit will help the communities and people we serve across the nation.