Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit

All U.S. citizens should be able to avail themselves fully to tax credits such as Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Credit, and these should not be limited by mandatory minimum residence requirements (6 months in the U.S.) in order to access them. Independent studies show that U.S. citizens overseas are similar demographically to U.S. citizens in the United States and that those in need of the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Credit face the same issues overseas as their domestic compatriots.

Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit

The enhanced Child Tax Credit, passed in the American Rescue Plan legislation of 2021, and the existing Earned Income Credit, require that those eligible to receive them live at least six months during the year in the U.S. This excludes many U.S. citizens overseas who may qualify for the tax benefits. U.S. citizens overseas are similar demographically to those living in the United States, many facing the same need for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Credit. ACA wrote asking to investigate why U.S. citizen overseas were left out of this important legislation and continues to monitor the current bill in Congress, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 which will once again address who is eligible for these credits  H.R.7024 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Submit your message by following these steps:

  • Click "EDIT AND SEND EMAIL" in the box below to reveal the Contact form.
  • Enter your last US residential address and click "Submit"

This is your US voting address – it is the address where you last lived at in the United States, regardless of whether or not you have any current ties to this address. If you aren’t sure what your US voting address is, click here.  Never lived in the United States so no US address? You may still qualify, see how here.

  • Under the pre-formatted message, you can add your own thoughts about how citizenship policy affects you personally.  Click "Continue"
  • Enter your Full Name and Email Address and click "Send"