Stimulus check 2021 LIVE: New tool makes signing up for $300 relief cash even easier for American families

A NEW Stimulus check tool has made it easier for hard-hit families to sign up for $300 relief cash.

Parents can now easily enroll for the new direct payments or opt-out of them as a result of the temporary expansion of the child tax credit.

The "child tax credit update portal" allows families to see if they're eligible for the enhanced child credit and how to monitor their payments accordingly.

IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said: “IRS employees continue to work hard to help people receive this important credit."

The portal launched this week after President Joe Biden signed the Covid relief package into law in March.

Read our live blog below for the latest on stimulus checks...

  • Julia Fields

    PUSH FOR EXTENDED CHILD TAX CREDIT

    However, lawmakers have now called for an expansion of the scheme amid the benefits it have for families.

    It comes after a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation suggested the permanent expansion of the child tax credit has the potential to lift more than four million children out of poverty.

    The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that about thirty-four million people live in poverty in the United States.

    “Every child needs food, health care and safe and stable housing,” the group writes.

    “Millions of households with children already lacked these necessities before the pandemic, and this economic and public health catastrophe has brought millions more face-to-face with challenges.”

  • Julia Fields

    CHILD TAX CREDIT PREVIOUSLY CAPPED AT $2K

    The reformed tax credit, set to start in July 15, will pay up to $3,600 for children five and under and up to $3,000 for children six to 17 in 2021.

    The tax credits were previously capped at $2,000 per child.

    The increased payments were unveiled as part of President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan and will go out in monthly payments, with a balance being sent out at tax time next year.

  • Julia Fields

    IRS COMMISSIONER SPEAKS ON NEW TOOL

    IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said: “IRS employees continue to work hard to help people receive this important credit."

    The "child tax credit update portal" provides updated for families about their eligibility to receieve the $300 monthly checks.

  • Julia Fields

    NEW IRS TOOL LAUNCHED

    The IRS launched a new portal this week for families to check if they qualify for the child tax credit.

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