Make Child Tax Credit payments permanent

Under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Iowa families like mine will see monthly Child Tax Credit payments beginning in July through December 2021. Previously, tax credits were tied to refunds that occur once per year after filing income taxes.

For the first time, families will not need to wait until tax season to receive their CTC payment. This money will help parents cover the unexpected doctor's or dentist visit, money for a class field trip, or to put groceries in the cupboard and meals on the dinner table. This money will have a greater impact when it is delivered regularly and not just a one time refund.

It isn’t just my family, it’s 669,000 kids under the age of 18 in Iowa who qualify for the CTC. The American Rescue Plan is the biggest piece of anti-poverty legislation in more than 50 years, and 48,000 Iowa kids under 18 will be lifted above or closer to the poverty line by the expansion.

The expansion of the Child Tax Credits show the Biden administration’s commitment to the middle class and hard working Americans. Hopefully congressional Republicans will get on board with helping families and make these CTC payments permanent.

Amy Adams

Saint Lucas