SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Connecticut's leaders are reminding families that there's still time to apply for a state tax rebate of up to $250 per child.
"We've accepted over 120,000 family applications, constituting about 200,000 children that will be positively impacted by the distribution of these checks," Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Commissioner Mark Boughton said.
Given inflation and rising prices, State Representative Sean Scanlon stressed that Connecticut families are struggling right now.
Scanlon explained that while traveling across the state with the governor and other state officials, he's heard from families who have expressed their need for this tax credit to cover necessary expenses.
"Every time I go to one of these events, I ask the parents that are there what they're going to use the money for. The answers are diapers, wipes, gas, child care, groceries, rent. These are not being used for things that are frivolous. They're being used for essentials," Scanlon said.
According to Governor Ned Lamont and OPM officials, the state is in a strong financial position to offer these rebates for a maximum of three children, due to a substantial surplus, rainy day fund, and other factors.
However, while the Lamont Administration would like to keep this rebate around, the governor said it's unclear if this is something that can be made permanent.
"We're going to have to make longer-term determinations when we look at through the fiscal year, see what the nature of a recession, if it comes, what that means. I want to do everything I can to make sure we don't go in fits and starts," Lamont said. "The history of this state [is] we have good years and we give all away and then bad years and we raise taxes. That's not where I want to be."
For this year, any Connecticut resident who claimed at least one dependent child 18 years old or younger on the 2021 federal income tax return can apply for the tax credit.
The DRS will be mailing out checks as soon as late August, Boughton said.
Applications are due July 31. They can be found on the DRS website.