Madison Wis. – Today, the Biden-Harris administration, Wisconsin Democrats, and families across the state are celebrating Child Tax Credit Awareness Day, a nationwide day of action to get the word out about the upcoming monthly payments that will benefit nearly all families.
Through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit increased the existing benefit for the 2021 year to put more money in the pockets of working parents. Roughly 39 million Americans will be eligible for this program beginning on July 15, including the families of nearly 1.2 million children in Wisconsin.
Now, to build on the success of a program that has lifted thousands of children in Wisconsin out of poverty, the Biden-Harris administration is fighting for the American Families Plan, a plan supported by Wisconsin Democrats that would make this life-changing provision permanent.
Here’s how making the Child Tax Credit permanent would help Wisconsinites:
- Increases the existing tax benefit from $2,000 up to $3,000 per child ($3,600 for children under age 6)
- Makes the credit fully refundable so that low-income families can now receive the same credit as middle-income families, benefitting 1,158,000 children in Wisconsin—including 351,000 children of color
- Lifts 45,000 children out of poverty in Wisconsin, reducing child poverty in the state by 45 percent
- Returns half of families’ spending on child care for children under the age of 13 through a tax credit—they can receive up to $4,000 in credit for one child or $8,000 for two or more children
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Nellie Sires released the following statement:
“The Child Tax Credit follows the basic principle that we should be supporting Wisconsin families and children and building a better future for the next generation. This credit is a direct result of having leaders like President Biden and Governor Evers, who are dedicated to bettering the lives of Wisconsin families. The Child Tax Credit is just another example of Democrats delivering for Wisconsin families.
“As Wisconsin families continue to benefit from the American Rescue Plan, an obvious question arises—why did every single Republican in Congress vote against this historic legislation that will help millions of Wisconsinites? Why do Republicans continue to work against Wisconsin families?
“No matter the petty excuses or talking points that Republicans in Congress will use to try to answer that question, one thing remains clear—Democrats will continue to be a voice for Wisconsinites and the American people, while Republicans continue to let us down.”
