MAYOR JOINS VP, TREASURY SECRETARY TO PROMOTE ‘CTC/EITC DAY OF ACTION
Published on February 08, 2022
MAYOR BRONIN JOINS VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, TREASURY SECRETARY YELLEN TO PROMOTE ‘CHILD TAX CREDIT/EITC DAY OF ACTION’
HARTFORD, CONN (February 8, 2022) – Today, Mayor Luke Bronin joined Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and White House officials for a Child Tax Credit/Earned Income Tax Credit Day of Action. Mayor Bronin, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Yellen encouraged eligible Americans to claim both of these valuable tax credits by filing an income tax return before the regular April 18th deadline. They also discussed resources available to help families file their taxes and access these tax credits.
Mayor Bronin connected to the Zoom from the Hartford Public Library’s Albany Branch, alongside local partners and community members United Way of Central and Northeastern CT President and CEO Paula Gilberto, Upper Albany resident Nordia Washington, The Village for Families and Children COO Hector Glynn, HRA of New Britain Assistant Director of Operations Juan Berrios, VITA volunteer John Perkins, and Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative members Irma Davis and Mary Young.
The White House announced a new website www.childtaxcredit.gov, which makes it easy for families to check eligibility and file for their Child Tax Credit. Mayor Bronin also promoted Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), a local volunteer program offered through a partnership of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, The Village for Families and& Children, Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA), and Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative. VITA provides free tax preparation to Hartford residents making up to $58,000 annually, matching them up with an IRS-certified volunteer. Hartford residents can register for VITA by visiting www.211ct.org/taxhelp or dialing 211, and pressing ‘3’ then ‘6’.
The Child Tax Credit was expanded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, providing historic tax relief by providing the vast majority of families with $3,000 for every child between the ages of 6 and 17 and $3,600 for every child under age 6. Married couples earning up to $150,000 annually or single parents earning up to $112,500 are eligible for this tax credit, which is non-taxable and has no impact on other federal benefits. The Child Tax Credit could bring Hartford families up to $90 million in tax relief each year. The Earned Income Tax Credit was also enhanced, providing $1,500 and expanded eligibility to all ages except young workers who are part-time students. Single workers earning up to $21,430 or married couples earning up to $27,380 are eligible.
“These tax credits have made a huge difference for tens of thousands of families in our region, lifting kids out of poverty, giving hard-working parents some breathing room, and helping families afford school supplies, groceries, and rent,” said Mayor Bronin. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris administration not only for expanding the CTC and EITC, but for pushing so hard to make sure that everyone who’s eligible for these tax credits gets them. And we have amazing partners in the ground in Hartford working to make it as easy as possible for residents to claim their credits — from United Way, to the Village for Families & Children, to the Hartford Public Library. I also want to give a special thank you to Rosa DeLauro and our Connecticut congressional delegation for championing the Child Tax Credit for many years. If you need help filing your tax credit, visit your local library branch to seek assistance, dial 211 to get assistance from a VITA tax prep volunteer, or check out the easy-to-use new website at www.childtaxcredit.gov.”
“Connecting people with the refunds and credits they’ve earned is one way to ensure families are financially stable, and by extension, to support positive health and education outcomes for children and youth,” said Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Returns are invested right back into the community as families buy household necessities. It’s a win for everyone. United Way is grateful to our VITA volunteers, donors and partners, including The City of Hartford, The Village for Families & Children, Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA) and the Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, for their continued commitment to the VITA campaign.”
“As a mother of three kids under 18, the Child Tax Credit has given me extra security and helped me pay my bills and groceries,” said Nordia Washington, an Upper Albany resident who utilized the VITA tax assistance program. “These expanded tax credits help single moms like me get by, so I want to thank everyone who made them possible.”
Mayor Bronin also urged Hartford residents who need help accessing these tax credits to join the VITA team at the Hartford Public Library at 500 Main Street on Saturday, February 19th from 9 AM to 1 PM. Full video of the press conference can be found here. Mayor Bronin’s remarks begin at 48:30.