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Spending Responses to the Child Tax Credit Expansions

Author

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  • Jonathan Fisher
  • Jake Schild
  • David S. Johnson

Abstract

This article summarizes research literature that has studied how people used the advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments that were disbursed by the IRS in 2021. Four primary findings emerge. The ways in which families used the advance CTC payments varied: during the first few months the payments were being distributed, families reported paying down debt more frequently; and in the final months of the payments, families reported more frequent spending. Families primarily used the monthly CTC on household necessities and child-related spending. There was heterogeneity in the spending response across income and race. Lastly, the CTC helped families deal with rising inflation. We discuss these four findings from the extant research in detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Fisher & Jake Schild & David S. Johnson, 2023. "Spending Responses to the Child Tax Credit Expansions," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 710(1), pages 108-123, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:710:y:2023:i:1:p:108-123
    DOI: 10.1177/00027162241263180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Elizabeth Ananat & Irwin Garfinkel, 2023. "The Potential Long-Run Impact of a Permanently Expanded Child Tax Credit," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 710(1), pages 192-208, November.
    2. Anna Aizer & Adriana Lleras-Muney & Katherine Michelmore, 2023. "The Effects of the 2021 Child Tax Credit on Child Developmental Outcomes," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 710(1), pages 172-189, November.
    3. Bradley Hardy & Charles Hokayem, 2023. "The Effects of the 2021 Child Tax Credit on Racial and Ethnic Inequalities in Well-Being," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 710(1), pages 157-171, November.

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