The article discusses the importance of the child tax credit (CTC) in alleviating child poverty, which has become a focal point in Congress as tax reforms are debated. The CTC can reduce a family's tax bill by up to $2,000 per child, but its design currently excludes millions of impoverished children while benefitting wealthier families. A temporary expansion in 2021 to $3,600 per child significantly decreased child poverty rates, showing that direct cash assistance for those with the lowest incomes can transform lives. However, since the expiration of this expansion, child poverty rates in California have surged once again, emphasizing that child poverty is a result of policy decisions.
As Congress debates major tax reforms, a proven anti-poverty tool hangs in the balance: the child tax credit.
Expanding the child tax credit is critical to reducing child poverty. It's been proven to work.
Parents of young children spent the checks on basic family needs like food, clothing, and rent.
Child poverty is a policy choice and the child tax credit is a proven solution to this.
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