August 10, 2021 by Nesibe Selma
LSLA’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Participates in Roundtable Discussion on the Child Tax Credit
On Thursday, July 15, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher hosted a Child Tax Credit roundtable to spread the word and inform local families about the impact of CTC, what to expect, and how to access it if they qualify. Staff attorney Adam Matlock, from our Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, attended as participant and local legal aid representative.
Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit provides $250-300 of monthly payments to families for each child as of July 15th, 2021. All working families will receive full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a single parent household. Families that qualify and have already filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020 or have signed up to receive a stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) do not need to take any additional action. The tax relief will be provided automatically. The Plan has also raised the age limit to 17.
Families that didn’t make enough to be required to file taxes in 2019 or 2020 can still receive benefits if they have children who are eligible for the tax credit. Information on the Non-Filer sign-up is provided directly through the White House website. Find more detailed CTC information here.
The roundtable discussion included community resource partners who came together to discuss the impact of the 2021 additional child tax credit payments, and how they can get the word out to the community. The speakers discussed what people are using the credit for, how informed individuals are about the child tax credit payments, what barriers they are facing when it comes to receiving the payments, and what issues we are seeing out in the field. The participants also touched on the subject of the previous Economic Impact Payments (EIP) or stimulus payments and what issues individuals are experiencing in the community, and what we have been able to do to help. The foundation for the stimulus payments and efforts to help people file complaints over the last year have been greatly helpful in people receiving their child tax credits in a timely manner now.
If you or someone you know has questions related to the Advance Child Tax Credit Payments (CTC) or the Economic Impact Payments (EIP), you can apply for free legal help with our Low Income Taxpayer Clinic by visiting www.LoneStarLegal.org. For those who do not have access to a computer, smartphone, or reliable internet, applications can be made by phone at 1-800-733-8394.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, including those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
