Congressman Cleaver Urges Missouri Families to File Taxes Before May 17 to Get Advance Child Tax Credit Payments As Soon As Possible

(Washington, D.C.) –United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) is urging Missouri families to file their taxes before the upcoming May 17th deadline to ensure they receive advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments from the American Rescue Plan as soon as possible. As part of the American Rescue Plan, which Congressman Cleaver helped pass, families could get monthly payments of up to $300 per child per month beginning as soon as July. The best way to ensure eligible families receive their payments quickly is to file a 2020 tax return by the May 17 deadline so the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the most up-to-date information to calculate and issue advance monthly payments.

"I was proud to support the American Rescue Plan, which will provide nearly 49,000 families in my congressional district with up to $300 per child per month in advance Child Tax Credit payments, helping families stay afloat and our economy recover from COVID-19" said Congressman Cleaver. "To ensure hardworking families in Missouri receive this desperately needed relief as soon as possible, I strongly urge those who are eligible to file their 2020 tax return by May 17—even if you don't normally file."

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 relief package also authorized advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit through December 2021. Beginning as soon as July and running through December, eligible families can get up to $300 per month per child for children ages 0 to 5 and $250 per month per child for children ages 6 to 17.

The expanded Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan will provide:

• Relief to 163,400 children in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, making up 91% of all children in the district;
• An average total of $3,100 to 48,900 households in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District; and
• Enough financial support to lift 11,000 children in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District out of poverty, including 4,400 children out of deep poverty.

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. 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.

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; and
• Be claimed on your tax return.

Families can file taxes for free online through the IRS Free File program here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.