Costa Reminds Hardworking Families to be on Lookout for Child Tax Credit Monthly Payments Beginning in July

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) is encouraging nearly 60,000 hardworking families in his district to be on the lookout for advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit, coming next month. Nearly 95% of all children (215,000) in Rep. Costa's district are eligible:

"Though our economy is improving and we're gaining the upper hand over COVID-19, families across the country are still hurting," said Rep. Costa. "These payments will put more money in the pockets of nearly 60,000 hardworking parents in my district, proving them the support they need build better lives for themselves and their families."

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. This historic expansion provides a lifeline to the middle class and lifts more than 27,000 children in Rep. Costa's 16th district out of poverty and 9,300 children out of deep poverty. To see more ways the Child Tax Credit expansion will help children and families in the 16th district, go here.

Qualifying families will start receiving payments beginning July 15th and running through December:

• Nearly all hardworking families should get their monthly payments automatically beginning July 15th with no further action required;
• Families who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to sign up for the Economic Impact Payments, should go online and use the IRS Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool to sign up today;
• Families will get their remaining expanded Child Tax Credit when they file their 2021 tax return.

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit?
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.

How Do I Get My Payment?
Nearly all hardworking families should get their monthly payments automatically beginning July 15th with no further action required.

• If you've filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, you will get this tax relief automatically. You do not need to sign up or take any action;
• Families who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to sign up for the Economic Impact Payments, should go online and use the IRS Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool to sign up today;
• Families who got their refunds from the IRS through direct deposit will get these payments in their bank account around the 15th of every month until the end of 2021. People who don't use direct deposit will receive their payment by mail around the same time.
• Families will be able to determine their eligibility, check the status of their payments and more at IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021 later this month.

Watch out for scams.
According to IRS.gov: "The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a scam.

Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a non-governmental web site."