Sign-on to support an Advance Child Tax Credit that puts Minnesota families first
Add your organization's name to urge our state to adopt an advance periodic payment process that creates positive opportunities for Minnesota families and children.
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Action coordinated by: Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota, Legal Services Advocacy Project, and Minnesota Budget Project.

As advocates for Minnesota families and children, we're inviting your organization to support a crucial policy initiative. As you may know, policymakers created the Minnesota Child Tax Credit last year, which means hundreds of thousands of families across the state will have more resources to afford groceries, rent, diapers, and other basic needs.

Now, Minnesota policymakers are considering offering advance periodic payments of this credit, providing families with a more consistent and timelier financial boost. As Minnesota stands on the cusp of implementing this transformative process, and likely being the first state to do so, the details matter about how advance periodic payments would work to minimize the potential for unintended and negative consequences for families.  

By signing your organization on this letter, you will add your voice urging our state to adopt an advance periodic payment process with design principles that put families first and continue to improve the lives of Minnesota's children.  
 
The letter below, including organizational signatories, will be shared with Governor Tim Walz and members of his administration, and members of the Minnesota Legislature at key moments in the decision-making process.  

VIEW THE LETTER (PDF) and see other organizations who have already signed on. 
  • Signatories last updated on 04/24/2024.
LETTER TEXT

To Minnesota Policymakers:

In 2023, Minnesota passed a nation-leading Child Tax Credit. As a result, more than one-third of Minnesota families with children will be better able to afford the basic expenses of raising thriving children.

The 2023 tax bill permits the Minnesota Department of Revenue to establish a process for Minnesota families to choose to receive a portion of their Child Tax Credit in advance through periodic payments, instead of waiting to receive the full amount after they have filed their state income taxes. Minnesota could become the first state in the nation to implement this innovative approach to how families receive tax credits. Advance periodic payments would get money in the pockets of Minnesota families sooner and more consistently during the year so they can better afford their daily lives.

Implementation of advance periodic payments must respond to the unfortunate fact that some families will face trade-offs if they choose advance periodic payments. Simply changing the frequency in which families receive the Child Tax Credit from one lump sum to periodic payments may have a negative impact on federal assistance families may rely on. Specifically, some families who choose advance periodic payments may see a reduction in food support through SNAP.

Our organizations support an advance periodic payment process with the following design principles:

  • Families are the decision-makers about whether to opt in to receive advance periodic payments, and should be able to later opt out if advance payments do not meet their needs. Families should be able to opt out through an easy to navigate online portal and other methods.

  • Families are provided with sound, specific information to inform their choice whether to receive advance payments and to successfully interact with the tax-filing system, regardless of their method of tax-filing. This includes information about how advance payments could impact other assistance and their annual tax refund; and how their Child Tax Credit could be impacted by changes in their family’s income, marriage, or number of children living in the home.

  • Eliminate or limit negative impacts on families’ access to other assistance.

  • Protect families who in good faith choose to receive advance periodic payments from repayment burdens.

  • Provide resources for successful implementation. Volunteer tax preparation services, direct service organizations, and government entities that work directly with potentially eligible families should have financial and information resources to provide support and guidance to families in making their decisions about periodic payment.

An advance periodic payment process with all of the above design principles would create a positive opportunity for families and build a strong foundation for future improvements. These principles reflect learning gained from conversations with Minnesota families, the experiences of Minnesota organizations who work with families, and recommendations by national policy research and tax preparation experts.

The Minnesota Child Tax Credit has huge potential to reduce poverty and hardship, narrow disparities by race and geography, and improve the lifetime prospects of Minnesota children. We look forward to continuing conversations about implementation of advance periodic payments of the Child Tax Credit.


Sincerely,

Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota
Legal Services Advocacy Project
Minnesota Budget Project
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CONTACT US
We look forward to your organization’s support. If you have any questions, please e-mail Sabrina Leung, Engagement and Content Manager, Minnesota Budget Project. 
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