Davids Releases New Reports on Impact of Child Tax Credit Expansion in Kansas Ahead of IRS Deadline

Press Release

Report release follows press conference with Disability Rights Center Kansas and local families
Today, Representative Sharice Davids released a new report detailing the impact of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansion on hardworking families in the Third District of Kansas and the state as a whole. The American Rescue Plan boosted the maximum CTC, expanded eligibility, and implemented advance monthly payments for qualifying families. Key findings from the report include:

77.6% of children in the Third District of Kansas will benefit from the expanded CTC.
That's 150,600 children in the Third District, and nearly 618,000 in the entire state of Kansas.
The average family in KS-03 will receive a $2,700 annual benefit from the expanded CTC.
The overall child poverty rate will decline nearly 40% in Kansas due to the CTC expansion.

In a press conference earlier today announcing the report, Davids was joined by Rocky Nichols, Executive Director of Disability Rights Center of Kansas, and two parents from the Third District, Crystal Henry and Valeria Hernandez. Speakers discussed the crucial relief provided by the expanded Child Tax Credit, and Davids encouraged eligible families to file their taxes by the May 17th deadline to ensure they receive the advance monthly payments--which could begin as soon as July.

"The Child Tax Credit expansion means more money for more families to put towards food, childcare, diapers, health care, education, and other needs each month--which will benefit over 77% of children in my district," said Representative Sharice Davids. "I was raised by a single mom, and we didn't have much when I was growing up. To think of the difference this monthly amount would have made in our lives is staggering. This is a lifeline for many folks, and I'm proud to have supported its passage."

"We want to give a big thank you to Representative Davids for helping to spearhead these efforts. These positive changes are critically important to all Americans and also to people with disabilities and parents of kids with disabilities," said Rocky Nichols, Executive Director of Disability Rights Center of Kansas. "The American Rescue Plan is life changing…it has quite literally come to the rescue and is lifting millions of families out of poverty. Now those who need it most will benefit from the entire Child Tax Credit."

"There are just so many of us, no matter where we fall in employment and income, that just can't figure out how to make childcare work. Our children deserve it, and working parents deserve the ability to have access to quality care," said Crystal Henry of Merriam, KS. "[The Child Tax Credit] is definitely going to make it so much easier."

"I work at a preschool where I see a lot of families who struggle because they don't have childcare, they lost jobs…it's going to help the whole community," said Valeria Hernandez of Kansas City, KS. "I'm happy for that--for myself, for Crystal, and for all families in Wyandotte County--because they are going to get a lot of support because of the Child Tax Credit being expanded to them."

More information on the Child Tax Credit:

The American Rescue Plan expanded the CTC to up to $3,600 per child for children ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17. In addition, it authorized advance monthly payments of the CTC through December 2021. Beginning as soon as July and running through December, qualifying families can get up to:

$300 a month per child for children ages 0 to 5.
$250 a month per child for children ages 6 to 17.

Families will get their remaining credit when they file their 2021 tax return. 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. To be eligible, children must:

Have a Social Security number,
Live with the filer for at least half of the year,
Be under age 18 as of December 31, 2021, and
Be claimed on the filer's tax return.

Children are eligible if they are children, adopted children, stepchildren, half-siblings, foster children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or certain other relatives. Even if families do not normally file taxes, they must file by May 17th to begin receiving these additional benefits.

For information on how the American Rescue Plan directly helps Kansas, visit Davids' resource page.

To read Davids' new report on the Child Tax Credit, click here.

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