Child tax credits coming to bank accounts July 15

Child tax credits are on their way to 91% of Georgia families starting July 15.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Child tax credits are on their way to 91% of Georgia families starting July 15.

Warner Robins resident Courtney Driver, a former marine turned paralegal, is a single mom to her 5 year-old-daughter Jaya. Driver says the monthly credits will help her pay for Jaya’s childcare and other expenses.

“For me groceries, making sure our bill are paid on time,” Driver said. “Back to school, we’re going back to school in August so making sure she’s prepared to go back to school, and preparing for the holidays.”

Starting July 15, families with a child or children under the age of 6 will get $300 per month per child through December. Families with kids between 6 and 17 will get $250 per month per child through December.

As part of the American Rescue Plan, the yearly tax credit was increased from from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under age 6 and to $3,000 for kids between 6 and 17.

Children 17 years old and younger, as opposed to 16 years old and younger in previous years, are now covered by the credit.

Half of the total credit will be issued in monthly payments through December, and the other half will be issued during tax season.

In order to be eligible, your family has to make $150,000 jointly or $112,500 as a single parent.

Georgia Democrats hosted a virtual press conference Wednesday to talk about the benefits of the monthly tax credits. Congresswoman Nikema Williams, chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, says the credits will provide direct relief to working families.

“To recover from the pandemic, this tax cut will help working parents get back on their feet,” Congresswoman Williams said. “This tax cut means parents don’t have to stay up late at night worrying about how they’re going to shoulder this cost associated with the pandemic.”

Driver says the credits are beneficial for working moms like her. She says she was discouraged that Congressman Austin Scott, who represents her district, didn’t support American Rescue Plan as drafted. She feels  the issue is not something that should be up for debate because of the amount of families in financial need due to the pandemic.

“We know families are in need of help, they’re in need of jobs, they’re in need of financial relief,” Driver said. “And so I’m glad this plan is here to help families that are in need of financial relief.”

We reached out to Congressman Austin Scott’s office for comment,  but he was unavailable.

Go to the IRS website:

• If you would like to opt out of receiving the monthly payments and receive the full sum during tax season
• You can also update your bank account information to make sure the money goes to the right account.
• The IRS says that later this year, you’ll be able to modify your dependents (e.g. if a child was born in 2021)