Cortez Masto Joins Legislation to Strengthen the Child Tax Credit and Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined bipartisan legislation to provide a tax cut to 3.5 million working families with children by allowing them to begin receiving the Child Tax Credit (CTC) starting with the first dollar they earn. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act is led by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

Under current law, millions of working families do not receive the full value of the Child Tax Credit because their income isn't high enough to maximize the refundable portion of the credit. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act would cut taxes for these families by allowing them to begin earning refundable CTC benefits beginning with the first dollar of income that they earn, rather than only for income over $2,500. According to the Tax Policy Center, this change would provide a tax cut to nearly 3.5 million families with kids in 2026.

"Hardworking Nevadan families deserve a break, but the current Child Tax Credit isn't enough," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This bipartisan legislation would help parents in the Silver State put food on the table, pay their bills, and save for a rainy day by allowing them to collect the tax credits they have earned without having to meet an arbitrary minimum income requirement."

"Families across New Hampshire and the country are working hard to provide for their children, but too many are struggling with rising costs for essentials like groceries, child care, and utilities," said Senator Hassan. "The Child Tax Credit supports parents in raising the next generation, but right now, many hard-working families are not able to access the full tax cut because they don't get paid enough at work. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense bill that will help working families make ends meet and build a stronger future for their kids."

"The Child Tax Credit is one of our most effective tools for helping working families make ends meet and ensuring children have the stability they need to thrive. By starting refundability at the very first dollar earned, our bill will expand access to the Child Tax Credit for low-income parents while strengthening the incentive to enter or remain in the workforce," said Senator Young. "This is a practical, bipartisan step we can take to support families, reward work, and help more Americans climb the economic ladder."

The Stronger Start for Working Families is supported by America Forward, American Compass, BPC Action, Bread for the World, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Niskanen Center, R Street Institute, RESULTS, and Third Way.

Senator Cortez Masto has a long history of fighting to cut taxes for hardworking Nevadans. Last year, she introduced the Tax Cuts for Workers Act to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. Cortez Masto also helped pass expansions to the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan and has been fighting to permanently increase this vital relief for working families. She has championed legislation to end taxes on tips and worked to address barriers in its implementation. Following Cortez Masto's consistent pushes to repeal the coffee tariff taxes, the Trump Administration decided to exempt certain imports not grown in the United States - like coffee - from the disastrous blanket tariffs.

###