Merkley Announces Arrival Of Child Tax Credits In Oregonians' Bank Accounts

Press Release

Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today, as Child Tax Credits--resources included in the American Rescue Plan, which Merkley helped pass in March--began hitting Oregonians' bank accounts:
"This is the largest tax cut for low-income and middle class families in the history of our nation, and it will make a huge difference for parents across the country as they try to set their kids up for a lifetime of success.
"Most of us all want the same things: the opportunity to work a reliable, good-paying job, send our kids to good schools, and give our families a safe place to call home with food on the table. In a country founded on the principle that all of us are born equal, everyone should have fair access to the tools they need to reach those goals. But the truth is that for decades, the powerful and the privileged have been hard at work to stack the deck in their favor, while America's working families have paid the price in higher expenses and lower wages. Then the coronavirus crisis came along and only made our mission of building a foundation of prosperity for all even more difficult.
"Today, we're taking an important step to level the playing field and help families make ends meet as new Child Tax Credit payments start hitting Oregonians' bank accounts. Hundreds of dollars each month can be life-changing to working families. And today is just the start--I'm working with my colleagues to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, improve access to affordable child care and housing, put in place paid family leave, and more so every child and every family in Oregon has a chance to thrive.
"In America, children shouldn't have to be born into a wealthy family in order to be healthy and safe. I'm glad Congress is starting to act like it, and look forward to continuing to help lead the charge for America's working families."
Oregonians can click here to check if they are eligible for the credit. Families with young children will receive up to $1,800, paid in six monthly payments of $300, for each qualifying child under the age of 6; families with children ages 6 to 17 will receive $1,500 per child, paid in six monthly payments of $250.
Eligible families who have filed tax returns in 2019 or 2020 will automatically receive their payments. Those who are eligible and do not usually file returns can register with the IRS using the Non-filer Sign-up Tool (for a step by step guide, click here), or file a return with the IRS. To check the status of monthly payments and to update bank account information, Oregonians can click here.

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