Should the Child Tax Credit be Doubled and Made Available to More Families? (H.R. 3833)

What is H.R. 3833?

(Updated April 10, 2021)

This bill would increase the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child, raise the income threshold for the credit’s phase-out, and increase that threshold by $15,000 for each child of the taxpayer beyond the first child. The changes would take effect in taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment.

Specifically, the income threshold at which the credit is phased-out would be increased:

• From $110,000 to $150,000 for joint tax returns;

• From $75,000 to $100,000 for individual returns;

• From $55,000 to $75,000 for a married couple filing a joint return.

Argument in favor

Working families need more money in their pockets, and increasing the child tax credit would be an efficient way to get them the support they need to support their children.

Argument opposed

Adjusting the level of the child tax credit won’t do enough to help working families take care of their kids, as it would benefit wealthier taxpayers with more children.

Impact

Families with children who qualify for the child tax credit; and the IRS.

Cost of H.R. 3833

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced this bill to double the child tax credit and increase the phase-out income threshold so that it’s available to more taxpayers, and also noted the expanded tax credit’s inclusion in the broader GOP tax reform plan:

“I am also pleased to see an expanded child tax credit included in the framework since it has been over a decade since the child tax credit was last expanded. I have introduced H.R. 3883, the Expanded Child Tax Credit Act which would double the current tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child so that families will have more money in their pockets.”

This legislation has the support of three cosponsors, including two Republicans and a Democrat.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) Press Release
  
• Washington Post (Context)