The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; 
P.L. 117-2): Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax 
Provisions Related to Promoting Economic 
Security  
Updated March 16, 2021 
Congressional Research Service 
https://crsreports.congress.gov 
R46680 
Congressional Research Service 
 
  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Contents 
Tables 
Table 1. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2): Title IX, Subtitle G—
Tax Provisions Related to “Promoting Economic Security”................................................. 3 
Table 2. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; H.R. 1319): Title IX, Subtitle G—
Tax Provisions Related to “Promoting Economic Security” as passed the House of 
Representatives February 27, 2021................................................................................ 14 
Table 3. Estimated Cost of Title IX, Subtitle G of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 
(ARPA; P.L. 117-2)..................................................................................................... 24 
Table 4. Estimated Cost of Title IX, Subtitle G of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 
(ARPA; H.R. 1319) as passed the House of Representatives February 27, 2021 ................... 27 
 
Contacts 
Author Information ....................................................................................................... 30 
 
Congressional Research Service 
 
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
he American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) was signed into law by 
President Biden on March 11, 2021. ARPA is the latest in a series of Coronavirus Disease 
T 2019 (COVID-19)-related relief and economic stimulus legislation.  
Consideration of ARPA began early in the 117th Congress. On February 8, 2021, House Ways and 
Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal released nine legislative proposals to be considered 
under the budget reconciliation instructions.1 On February 27, 2021, the House passed these 
proposals as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; H.R. 1319). On March 4, 
2021, the Senate version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, S.Amdt. 891 to H.R. 1319, 
was proposed.2 On Saturday March 6, 2021, the Senate passed H.R. 1319, as amended by 
S.Amdt. 891. On March 10, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1319, as amended by S.Amdt. 891. On 
March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA;  P.L. 117-2) was signed into law. 
The versions of the bil  passed on March 6 in the Senate and March 10 in the House are identical 
to the law as enacted. This report summarizes the tax provisions in Title IX, Subtitle G of the 
American Rescue Plan Act.3 
Title IX, Subtitle G of the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2) 
  provides a one-time direct payment of $1,400 per person to eligible households; 
  temporarily expands the child tax credit for low- and moderate-income families, 
with a portion of the credit issued in 2021 before income taxes are filed; 
  temporarily expands the earned income tax credit (EITC) for workers without 
qualifying children; 
  temporarily expands the child and dependent care credit for most taxpayers and 
temporarily expands the exclusion for child and dependent care expenses; 
  modifies and extends the payroll tax credits for employer-provided paid sick and 
paid family leave; 
  further extends the employee retention tax credit; 
  temporarily enhances benefits and/or expands eligibility for the health insurance 
premium tax credit (PTC); 
                                              
1 For information on budget reconciliation, see CRS  Report R44058, 
The Budget Reconciliation Process: Stages of 
Consideration, by Megan S.  Lynch and James V.  Saturno . For information on the budget resolution for 2021, which 
contains reconciliation directives, see CRS  Report R46675, 
S.Con.Res. 5: The Budget Resolution for FY2021 , by 
Megan S.  Lynch and James V.  Saturno.  
2 For the text of S.Amdt. 891 as introduced on March 4, 2021, see https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/
American%20Rescue%20Plan%20Act%20SENAT E.pdf . 
3 Revenue provisions in T itle IX, Subtitle  H, Pensions, are described  in CRS  In Focus  IF11766, 
Pension Provisions in 
Budget Reconciliation, by Elizabeth A. Myers and John J. T opoleski; and CRS  In Focus  IF11765, 
Special Financial 
Assistance to Multiem ployer Plans, by John J. T opoleski and Elizabeth A. Myers. T itle IX, Subtitle H also includes  an 
expansion of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §162(m) limit on excessive employee compensation, effective after 
December 31, 2026. T he provision would deny deduction of compensation in excess of $1 million to certain highly 
paid employees, plus the CEO or CFO, at publicly  traded companies. T he Joint Committee on T axation (JCT ) estimates 
that the provision will generate $7.8 billion in revenue between  FY2016 and FY2031. T itle IX, Subtitle A includes  a 
provision to exclude up to $10,200 in unemployment compensation benefits from tax in 2020 for taxpayers with 
modified AGI  of less  than $150,000. JCT  estimates that this provision will reduce  revenues by $25.0 billion in FY2021. 
See  CRS  In Focus  IF11782, 
Federal Taxation of Unem ploym ent Insurance Benefits, by Julie  M. Whittaker, Katelin P. 
Isaacs, and Molly F. Sherlock. T itle IX, Subtitle A also extends temporary limits on business  losses  that apply to 
noncorporate taxpayers. JCT  estimates that this provision will generate $31.0 billion in revenue between FY2026 and 
FY2031. For background,  see CRS  Report R46377, 
The Tax Treatm ent and Econom ics of Net Operating Losses,  by 
Mark P. Keightley.  
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
  repeals a provision that al ows worldwide al ocation of interest for the foreign tax 
credit limit, decreasing foreign tax credits in some cases; 
  provides that advances against Economic Injury Disaster Loans that are not 
repaid and grants under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund are excluded from 
income, and deductions for associated expenses are al owed; 
  modifies reporting thresholds for third-party settlement organizations; and 
  temporarily excludes most forgiven student loan debt from taxation. 
Current consideration of COVID-19-related tax relief follows the enactment of other laws 
addressing the COVID-19 crisis:  
(1) the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 
(P.L. 116-123);  
(2) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; P.L. 116-127); 
(3) the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136);4 
(4) the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139); 
and  
(5) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260).5 
Other pandemic-related tax policy proposals were considered in the 116th Congress, but not 
enacted. In the House, tax relief was also considered in the Heroes Act (H.R. 8406, adopted as 
H.R. 925; H.R. 6800).6 Legislation introduced in the Senate (the American Workers, Families, 
and Employers Assistance Act [S. 4318]; the Supporting America’s Restaurant Workers Act [S. 
4319]; and the Restoring Critical Supply Chains and Intel ectual Property Act [S. 4324]) would 
have provided tax relief intended to al eviate  the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.7 
Table 1 of this report summarizes the tax provisions in Title IX, Subtitle G of the American 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) and provides links to CRS resources containing 
additional information.
 Table 2 of this report summarizes the tax provisions in Title IX, Subtitle 
G of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; H.R. 1319) as passed by the House of 
Representatives on February 27, 2021, which differs from the version of the bil  as passed by the 
Senate on March 6, 2021, passed by the House on March 10, 2021, and signed by President Biden 
on March 11, 2021. Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) revenue estimates for these provisions in 
both the law and the House-passed bil   from February 27, 2021 are included i
n Table 3 a
nd Table 
4, respectively. 
                                              
4 For more on tax provisions in the CARES  Act, see CRS  Report R46279, 
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 
Security (CARES) Act—Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses, coordinated by Molly F. Sherlock.  
5 For more information on the tax provisions in this legislation, see CRS  Report R46649, 
The COVID-Related Tax 
Relief Act of 2020 and Other COVID-Related  Tax Provisions in P.L. 116-260, by Molly F. Sherlock et al.  
6 For more information on tax provisions in the Heroes Act, see CRS  Report R46358, 
Heroes Act: Revenue Provisions, 
coordinated by Molly F. Sherlock.  
7 For more information on the Senate proposals, see CRS  Report R46470, 
The American Workers, Families, and 
Em ployers Assistance Act (S. 4318): Title II—Revenue Provisions and Other “HEALS Act” Tax Provisions, 
coordinated by Molly F. Sherlock.  
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Additional  Resources 
  Congressional Budget Office, 
Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 1319, 
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, March 10, 2021, at https://www.cbo.gov/
publication/57056.  
  Joint Committee on Taxation, 
Estimated Revenue Effects Of H.R. 1319, The 
“American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,” As Amended By The Senate, Scheduled 
for Consideration by the House of Representatives, JCX-14-21, March 9, 2021, at 
https://www.jct.gov/publications/2021/jcx-14-21/. 
  Joint Committee on Taxation, 
Estimated Revenue Effects Of An Amendment in 
the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1319, The “American Rescue Plan Act Of 
2021,” As Passed by the House of Representatives And Scheduled for 
Consideration by the Senate, JCX-13-21, March 4, 2021, at https://www.jct.gov/
publications/2021/jcx-13-21/. 
  Joint Committee on Taxation, 
Estimated Revenue Effects Of H.R. 1319, The 
“American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,” Scheduled For Consideration By The 
House Of Representatives On February 26, 2021, JCX-12-21, February 26, 2021, 
at https://www.jct.gov/publications/2021/jcx-12-21/.8 
  U.S. Congress, House Committee on the Budget, 
American Rescue Plan Act of 
2021, Report of the Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, to 
Accompany H.R. 1319, 117th Cong., 1st sess., February 24, 2021, Report 117-7. 
  Joint Committee on Taxation, 
Description Of The Budget Reconciliation 
Legislative Recommendations Relating To Prompting Economic Security, JCX-3-
21, February 8, 2021, at https://www.jct.gov/publications/2021/jcx-3-21/.  
  Joint Committee on Taxation, 
Technical Explanation of the Modification of 
Exceptions of Reporting Third Party Network Transactions in New Section 9674 
of Subtitle IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, as Amended, by the 
Proposed Manager’s Amendment, February 26, 2021, at https://www.jct.gov/
publications/2021/technical-explanation-of-section-9674-of-hr-1319/.  
Table 1. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2): Title IX, Subtitle G—
Tax Provisions Related to “Promoting Economic Security” 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Subtitle G—Promoting  Economic  Security 
Part 1—2021 Recovery Rebates  to Individuals 
Recovery Rebates to 
Enacts a third round of direct payments for 
For more  information,  see 
Individuals 
individuals and households (“stimulus checks”). 
 
CRS Insight IN11604, 
COVID-
These payments are structured as refundable tax 
19 and Direct Payments: 
credits against 2021 income taxes, but are issued 
Frequently  Asked Questions 
(and hence received) in 2021, as opposed to 
(FAQs) About the Third Round of 
2022 (when 2021 income tax returns wil   be 
“Stimulus  Checks”  in the 
filed). Amount and eligibility  for the advanced 
American  Rescue Plan Act of 
credit is general y based on information from 
                                              
8 Earlier estimates were  prepared in advance of consideration by the House Committee on Ways and Means. See  Joint 
Committee on T axation, 
Estim ated Budgetary Effects Of The Revenue Provisions Of The Chairm an’s Am endm ent In 
The Nature Of A Substitute To The Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recom m endations, Scheduled For Markup By 
The House Com m ittee On Ways  And Means On February 10, 2021 , JCX-9-21, February 9, 2021, at 
https://www.jct.gov/publications/2021/jcx-9-21/. 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
2020 income tax returns (or 2019 returns, if 
2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2), by 
2020 returns have not been filed when the 
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
advanced credit is initial y issued). For  households    CRS Insight IN11605, 
COVID-
whose payment was based on 2019 income data, 
19 and Direct Payments: 
and who would be eligible  to receive  a larger 
Comparison  of First and Second 
payment based on 2020 data, the IRS is directed 
Round of “Stimulus  Checks”  to 
to issue a supplementary payment (a “top up”) 
the Third  Round in the American 
within 90 days of the tax filing deadline or 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; 
September  1, 2021, whichever date is earlier.   
P.L. 117-2), by Margot L. 
Payments are general y  issued per household and 
Crandal -Hol ick   
equal the sum of $1,400 per eligible  individual 
($2,800 for married  joint filers)  and $1,400 for 
 
CRS Insight IN11624, 
COVID-
19 and Direct Payments:  How 
each eligible  dependent (including older children 
Do the “Stimulus  Check” 
and adult dependents). For each individual who 
Phaseouts Differ Between the 
died before January 1, 2021, the payment amount 
House-Passed and Senate-Passed 
is reduced from  $1,400 to $0. 
American  Rescue Plan?,  by 
The payment phases out ratably (i.e., 
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick.   
proportional y) between $75,000 and $80,000 for  
single filers,  $112,500 and $120,000 for head of 
 
CRS Insight IN11628, 
Estimated 
household filers,  and $150,000 and $160,000 for 
“Direct  Payments”  by State 
married  joint filers.  The larger  the total credit 
Under the House and Senate 
amount, the faster the payment phases out using 
Versions of the American  Rescue 
this method. 
Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), by 
Conor F. Boyle  and Jameson 
Eligible individuals and dependents general y  need 
A. Carter.  
to have a social security number (SSN) to receive 
the payment. (Adoption taxpayer ID numbers  are 
For background, see 
also valid for dependents.) The maximum 
 
CRS Report R46415, 
CARES 
payment amount ($1,400) is reduced to $0 for 
Act (P.L. 116-136) Direct 
each otherwise  eligible  individual or qualifying 
Payments:  Resources and 
dependent who does not have an SSN (i.e.,  they 
Experts, coordinated by Margot 
have an individual taxpayer identification number, 
L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
or ITIN, instead). This provision  does not apply 
 
CRS Insight IN11576, 
COVID-
to married  members  of the Armed  Forces if at 
19 and Direct Payments  to 
least one spouse has an SSN. In such cases,  they 
Individuals:  Comparison  of the 
are eligible  for up to $2,800. If no eligible 
Second Round of “Stimulus 
individual has an SSN (i.e.,  an unmarried taxpayer 
Checks”  in P.L. 116-260 to the 
does not have an SSN or neither spouse of a 
First Round in the CARES Act 
married  joint filing couple has an SSN), they are 
(P.L. 116-136), by Margot L. 
stil   eligible  to receive  a payment for a qualifying 
Crandal -Hol ick. 
dependent with an SSN. 
 
CRS Insight IN11575, 
COVID-
The advanced payment of the credit  is general y 
19 and Direct Payments  to 
exempt from offset by Treasury prior to when 
Individuals:  Frequently  Asked 
the payment is issued for certain past-due debts 
Questions (FAQs) About the 
owed by the recipient (including past-due child 
Second Round of “Stimulus 
support). However,  the amount the taxpayer 
Checks”  in P.L. 116-260, by 
claims  as a credit on their 2021 tax returns will 
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
general y be subject to offset. The law does not 
include protections for garnishment or levy (debt 
 
CRS Insight IN11580, 
COVID-
col ection  actions that occur after the payments 
19 and Direct Payments: 
are received  by households). 
Summary  of the CASH Act (H.R. 
9051, 116th Congress) 
For eligible  individuals who did not file a 2020 or 
Modifications  to “Stimulus 
2019 income tax return, the IRS is given broad 
Checks,
”  by Margot L. Crandal -
authority to make payments based on 
Hol ick. 
information available to the Treasury, in a similar 
manner as was done with the second round of 
payments enacted under P.L. 116-260. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Treasury is directed to make payments to the 
U.S. territories  (mirror  code and non-mirror 
code) equal to the aggregate amount issued to 
their residents as a result of this provision.  (Many 
territorial  residents wil   receive  this benefit under 
a version of the provision  administered  via the 
territorial  government, rather than the IRS.) 
These payments are not taxable. In addition, like 
other tax credits, these payments do not count 
as income  or resources  for a 12-month period in 
determining eligibility  for, or the amount of 
assistance provided by, any federal y  funded 
public benefit program. 
If a taxpayer receives  a larger  advanced credit in 
2021 than they are eligible  for on their 2021 
income tax return, they general y  are not 
required to pay it back. If an individual receives 
an advanced payment less than what they are 
eligible  for on their 2021 income tax return, they 
can claim  the difference on their return (filed in 
2022). 
Part 2—Child  Tax Credit 
Child Tax Credit 
For 2021, temporarily  increases  the amount of 
For more  information,  see 
Improvements  for 
the child tax credit for low- and moderate-
 
CRS Insight IN11613, 
The Child 
2021 
income taxpayers to up to $3,600 per child for a 
Tax Credit:  Temporary  Expansion 
young child and up to $3,000 for older  children 
for 2021 Under  the American 
by modifying several provisions  of the existing 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; 
credit. First,  the law eliminates  the earned-
P.L. 117-2), by Margot L. 
income-based phase-in of the refundable portion 
Crandal -Hol ick.   
of the child credit (often referred  to as the 
“additional child credit” or ACTC) and eliminates 
For background, see 
the maximum  amount of the ACTC ($1,400). 
 
CRS Report R41873, 
The Child 
Hence, the child credit is “ful y refundable” and 
Tax Credit:  How It Works  and 
available to otherwise  eligible  taxpayers with no 
Who Receives It, by Margot L. 
earned income. Second, the law increases  the 
Crandal -Hol ick. 
maximum  age for an eligible  child to 17. Third, 
 
CRS Report R46502, 
The Child 
the law increases  the maximum  amount of the 
Tax Credit:  Selected Legislative 
credit from $2,000 per child to $3,600 per child 
Proposals  in the 116th Congress, 
for a young child (0-5 years old) and $3,000 per 
by Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
child for an older  child (6-17 years old). This 
increase  in the maximum child credit of $1,600 
per child for young children and $1,000 per child 
for older children gradual y phases out at a rate 
of 5% as income exceeds specified thresholds 
until the credit amount equals the pre-ARPA 
maximum  of $2,000 per child. These thresholds 
are $75,000 for single filers,  $112,500 for head of 
household filers,  and $150,000 for married  joint 
filers.  (The actual income level  at which the 
credit phases down to $2,000 per child will 
depend on the number and age of qualifying 
children.) For most families,  the credit then 
remains  at its pre-ARPA level  and phases out 
when income exceeds the pre-ARPA thresholds 
of $200,000 ($400,000 for married  joint filers)
.a   Directs  the Treasury to issue half of the 
expected 2021 credit in periodic payments 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
beginning July 1, 2021. These periodic  payments 
are general y of equal size.  The remaining half of 
the total 2021 credit will  be claimed  on a 2021 
income tax return filed in early  2022. The 
amount of the payments advanced in 2021 is 
estimated based on 2020 income tax data, or if 
unavailable, 2019 income tax data. The advanced 
child credit payments wil   reduce the child credit 
received  with a 2021 return. In cases where a 
taxpayer receives  more  in advanced payments 
than they are eligible  for (whether due to 
changes in income,  changes in filing status, or 
changes in the number of eligible  children who 
live with the taxpayer between 2021 and the year 
that provides data on which the advanced credit 
is based [2020 or 2019]), taxpayers wil   general y 
need to repay total aggregate advanced payments. 
In cases where  a taxpayer receives  excess 
advanced payments due to net changes in the 
number of qualifying children between 2020 (or 
2019) and 2021, repayment obligations will  be 
reduced for low- and moderate-income 
taxpayers. Specifical y,  taxpayers with income 
below $40,000 for single  filers,  $50,000 for head 
of household filers,  and $60,000 for joint filers  in 
2021 will not need to repay up to $2,000 per 
qualifying child in advanced credit overpayments 
(the $2,000 amount is referred  to as the “safe 
harbor amount”). Taxpayers with income above 
these thresholds but below $80,000 for single 
filers,  $100,000 for head of household filers,  and 
$120,000 for married  joint filers  will gradual y 
have the safe harbor amount reduced to $0 per 
qualifying child. Hence, taxpayers with income 
over $80,000 for single filers,  $100,000 for head 
of household filers,  and $120,000 for married 
joint filers  in 2021 will need to repay the entire 
amount of the overpayment.  
The law creates  an online portal to al ow 
taxpayers the options to either opt out of 
receiving  advanced payments or provide 
information regarding changes in income,  marital 
status, and number of qualifying children in order 
to modify the advanced credit amounts. 
Advanced payments will  not be subject to offset 
prior to when the payment is issued for certain 
past-due debts owed by the recipient.  However, 
the amount the taxpayer claims  as a credit on 
their 2021 tax returns would general y  be subject 
to offset. The law does not include protection for 
garnishment and levy, debt col ection actions that 
tend to occur after a payment is received  (i.e., 
deposited in a bank account). 
The law al ows  the Treasury to adjust income tax 
withholding to accommodate these advance 
payments. 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Advanced payments are general y not available to 
eligible  residents  of U.S. territories.   
Application of the 
Effectively expands child credit eligibility  to 
For background, see 
Child Tax Credit in 
residents  of U.S. territories  permanently. For 
 
CRS Report R44651, 
Tax Policy 
Possessions 
“mirror  code” territories,  the Treasury will  make 
and U.S. Territories:  Overview 
payments equal to the territory’s  costs of the 
and Issues for Congress, by Sean 
child tax credit. For American  Samoa (a non-
Lowry. 
mirror  code territory),  the Treasury will  make 
payments equal to the territory’s  costs of the 
child tax credit as if it were  a mirror  code 
territory.  In contrast, eligible  residents of Puerto 
Rico (also a non-mirror  code territory)  will  file 
for the credit directly  with the IRS. 
Part 3—Earned  Income Tax Credit 
Strengthening the 
For 2021, temporarily  expands both eligibility  for 
For more  information,  see 
Earned Income Tax 
and the amount of the earned income tax credit 
 
CRS Insight IN11610, 
The 
Credit for Individuals 
(EITC) for taxpayers without qualifying children 
“Childless”  EITC: Temporary 
with no Qualifying 
by modifying the eligibility  age and credit formula. 
Expansion for 2021 under  the 
Children 
Regarding eligibility  age, expands eligibility  for the 
American  Rescue Plan Act of 
EITC for individuals with no qualifying children—
2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2), by 
sometimes  referred  to as the “childless” EITC—
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick.   
by reducing the minimum  eligibility  age from 25 
For background, see  
to 19 for most workers.  In other words,  this 
change al ows  most eligible  workers  ages 19 to 
 
CRS Report R43805, 
The 
24 to claim  the childless  EITC. For  students who 
Earned Income Tax Credit 
are attending school at least part-time, the age 
(EITC): How It Works and Who 
limit  is temporarily  reduced from 25 to 2
4.b For 
Receives It, by Margot L. 
former  foster children and youth who are 
Crandal -Hol ick,  Gene Falk, 
homeless,  the minimum  age is temporarily 
and Conor F. Boyle. 
reduced from  25 to 18. The law also temporarily 
eliminates  the upper age limit,  so workers  aged 
65 and older are eligible.   
Regarding the credit amount, temporarily 
increases  the childless  EITC by increasing the 
earned income amount (the minimum  income 
necessary to receive  the maximum  credit 
amount) and phaseout threshold amount (the 
maximum  income level  at which taxpayers 
receive  the maximum  credit amount before it 
begins to phase out) to $9,820 and $11,610, 
respectively,  while also doubling the phase-in and 
phaseout rates from  7.65% to 15.3%. The 
maximum  childless  EITC increases  from $543 to 
$1,502 in 2021. 
Taxpayer Eligible for 
Permanently al ows taxpayers who currently 
 
Childless  Earned 
cannot claim  the childless  EITC because al  of 
Income Credit in Case  their qualifying children do not have SSNs to be 
of Qualifying Children 
eligible  to claim  the childless EITC. 
Who Fail to Meet 
Certain Identification 
Requirements 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Credit Al owed  in 
Permanently al ows married  taxpayers who file 
 
Case of Certain 
their tax returns as married  filing separately to 
Separated Spouses 
claim the EITC if they live with a child for whom 
they can claim  the EITC for more than half the 
year and either (1) do not have the same 
principal place of abode as their spouse for the 
last six months of the year,  or (2) have a decree, 
instrument, or agreement (i.e.,  other than a 
divorce decree) and do not live  with their spouse 
at the end of the year. 
Modification of 
Permanently modifies  the disqualified investment 
 
Disqualified 
income test. Prior  to ARPA, taxpayers with 
Investment Income 
investment income over  a certain threshold—
Test 
$3,650 in 2020 and 2021—were ineligible  for the 
EITC. Disqualified  investment income is defined 
as interest  income (including tax-exempt 
interest), dividends, net rent, net capital gains, 
and net passive income.  It also includes royalties 
from sources  other than the filer’s  ordinary 
business activities.  This provision permanently 
raises  this amount to $10,000 and annual y 
adjusts it for inflation beginning in 2022. 
Application of Earned 
Permanently provides authority to make 
 
Income Tax Credit in 
payments to Puerto Rico, American  Samoa, and 
Possession  of the 
mirror-code  territories  for amounts they pay out 
United States 
in the EITC. For Puerto Rico and American 
Samoa, such payments are contingent upon those 
territories  increasing the amount of their EITC 
or enacting an EITC, respectively. 
Temporary Special 
For the purposes of calculating their EITC on 
 
Rule for Determining 
their 2021 income tax return, al ows  taxpayers to 
Earned Income for 
substitute their 2019 earned income for their 
Purposes of Earned 
2021 earned income  if their earned income  at the 
Income Tax Credit 
end of 2021 is less than their 2019 earned 
income. 
Part 4—Dependent  Care Assistance 
Refundability and 
For 2021, temporarily  expands the child and 
For background, see 
Enhancement of Child 
dependent care credit by making the credit 
 
CRS Report R44993, 
Child and 
and Dependent Care 
refundable and making it larger for most workers. 
Dependent  Care Tax Benefits: 
Tax Credit 
The CDCTC credit amount is a product of the 
How They Work and Who 
amount of qualifying expenses (which is subject 
Receives Them, by Margot L. 
to a cap) and the credit rate. The law increases 
Crandal -Hol ick. 
the cap on qualifying expenses from $3,000 for 
one child and $6,000 for two or more  children to 
$8,000 and $16,000, respectively.  The law also 
increases  the credit rate for workers  with 
$185,000 or less  of income (the credit rate 
remains  the same as under current law for those 
with income over  $185,000 up to $400,000 [i.e., 
20%], and is reduced from current law for those 
with over $400,000 of income). Specifical y,  for 
those with less  than $125,000 of income,  the 
credit rate increases  to 50% (from 35%) of 
expenses. This 50% credit rate gradual y phases 
down to 20% until taxpayers have $185,000 of 
income.  For those with more  than $185,000 of 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
income up to $400,000, the credit rate then 
remains  at 20%, gradual y fal ing to zero when 
income exceeds $440,000. As a result,  those with 
income over  $440,000 are not eligible  for the 
credit.  
By making the credit refundable, the law 
effectively expands eligibility  to lower-income 
taxpayers. Prior  to ARPA, the CDCTC was a 
nonrefundable credit, meaning the value of the 
credit could not exceed a taxpayer’s income  tax 
liability.  As a result,  those with little or no 
income tax liability,  including many low-income 
taxpayers, received  little or no benefit from  the 
credit. 
In combination, the ARPA changes wil  increase 
the maximum  amount of the CDCTC from 
$2,100 to $8,000, depending on expenses and 
income. 
The law al ows  the Treasury to make payments 
to Puerto Rico, American  Samoa,  and mirror-
code territories  for the cost of providing the 
refundable CDCTC in 2021 to their territorial 
residents.  (Non-mirror  code territories  [i.e., 
Puerto Rico and American  Samoa] will need to 
develop a plan, approved by the Treasury 
Secretary,  to distribute the amounts of the 
refundable CDCTC to their residents.)    
Increase in Exclusion 
For 2021, temporarily  increases  the maximum 
  
for Employer-
amount of qualifying child care expenses that 
Provided Dependent 
eligible  taxpayers can exclude from their income 
Care Assistance 
from $5,000 to $10,500. 
Part 5—Credits  for Paid Sick and Family Leave 
Payrol  Credits 
Extends the Families  First Coronavirus  Response 
For background, see 
Act (FFCRA; P.L.  116-127) employer payrol  tax 
 
CRS In Focus IF11739, 
Payrol  
credits for paid sick and paid family leave from 
Tax Credit for COVID-19 Sick 
March 31, 2021, through September 30, 2021. 
and Family Leave, by Mol y F. 
Prior to ARPA, FFCRA paid sick  leave was 
Sherlock. 
limited  to 10 days per employee.  This provision 
resets  the 10-day limit,  starting April 1, 2021, for 
employers  claiming the credit for paid sick leave 
provided to their employees. 
Expands the paid sick and paid family  leave 
credits to al ow credits  for leave taken to obtain 
immunization related to COVID-19 or recover 
from any injury, disability,  il ness,  or condition 
related to COVID-19 immunization. 
Expands the definition of qualifying paid family 
leave to al ow family  leave payrol  tax credits to 
be claimed  for al  qualifying uses of paid sick time, 
including for leave  provided if the employee  is 
subject to a quarantine or isolation  order due to 
COVID-19 or is caring for someone  in a similar 
situation. 
Prior to ARPA, the tax credit for family  leave 
wages was limited  to $200 per day, and $10,000 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
total per employee.  This provision increases  this 
limit  on the tax credit for paid family  leave wages, 
al owing the credit on up to $12,000 in paid 
family leave wages. 
Adds a nondiscrimination  rule to the paid leave 
payrol  tax credits,  providing employers  cannot 
claim the credits  if paid leave provided to 
employees  discriminates  in favor of highly 
compensated employees  or ful -time employees, 
or discriminates  on the basis of employment 
tenure with the employer. 
Prior to ARPA, the paid sick  and paid family leave 
tax credits were  claimed  against the Old-Age, 
Survivors  and Disability  Insurance (OASDI) tax, 
or the equivalent amount of the Railroad 
Retirement  Tax Act (RRTA) tax. This provision 
restructures  the paid sick and family leave payrol  
tax credits to be claimed against the employer’s 
share of the hospital insurance (HI) payrol  tax, 
after March 31, 2021. The employer’s  share is 
1.45% of wages paid to employees.  This credit 
will  not affect amounts transferred to the Federal 
Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. 
Prior to ARPA, government employers,  including 
state and local government employers,  were  not 
al owed to claim  paid leave payrol  tax credits. 
This provision  provides that 501(c)(1) 
organizations and 501(a) organizations can claim 
the tax credits,  making certain state and local 
governments,  as wel   as 501(c)(1) federal 
government instrumentalities,  tax-credit eligible. 
The provision provides  that paid sick  and paid 
family leave payrol  tax credits can be increased 
by the employer’s  share of OASDI  and HI payrol  
taxes (and equivalent RRTA tax) for the paid 
leave wages. Denial of double benefit applies, and 
gross income  of the employer  is increased by the 
amount of the credit provided by this section. 
Credit for Sick  Leave 
Under FFCRA,  self-employed  individuals are 
For background, see 
for Certain Self-
al owed a refundable income  tax credit for paid 
 
CRS In Focus IF11739, 
Payrol  
Employed Individuals 
sick leave.  This provision  extends and expands 
Tax Credit for COVID-19 Sick 
the paid sick leave tax credits for self-employed 
and Family Leave, by Mol y F. 
individuals, similar  to the modifications  made for 
Sherlock.   
employers  (described above).  
Credit for Family 
Under FFCRA,  self-employed  individuals are 
For background, see 
Leave for Certain Self-
al owed a refundable income  tax credit for paid 
 
CRS In Focus IF11739, 
Payrol  
Employed Individuals 
family leave.  This provision  extends and expands 
Tax Credit for COVID-19 Sick 
the paid family leave tax credits for self-employed 
and Family Leave, by Mol y F. 
individuals, similar  to the modifications  made for 
Sherlock.   
employers  (described above). Tax credits  can be 
claimed  for up to 60 days of family leave for self-
employed  individuals. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Part 6—Employee Retention  Credit 
Extension of 
The employee  retention and rehiring  tax credit is 
For background, see 
Employee Retention 
70% of qualified wages. The refundable payrol  
 
CRS In Focus IF11721, 
The 
Credit 
credit can be computed on up to $10,000 in 
Employee Retention and 
qualified wages paid to an eligible  employee  per 
Employee Retention and Rehiring 
calendar quarter. Prior to ARPA, the credit was 
Tax Credits,  by Mol y F. 
available through June 30, 2021. Thus, the 
Sherlock.   
maximum  credit amount for 2021 was $14,000 
(70% of up to $20,000 in qualified wages paid 
over the first two quarters).  
Qualified wages depend on the number of 
employees  the employer  had in 2019. For 
employers  with more than 500 ful -time 
employees,  qualified wages are wages paid when 
employee  services  are not provided. For 
employers  with 500 or fewer  ful -time 
employees,  al  wages paid by eligible  employers 
are credit-eligible. 
This provision  extends the employee  retention 
credit through December  31, 2021. With this 
extension, the maximum  credit amount for 2021 
is $28,000. A credit of up to $50,000 per 
calendar quarter is also provided to recovery 
startup businesses,  defined as businesses 
established after February 15, 2020, with average 
annual gross receipts  that do not exceed $1 
mil ion.  Severely  financial y distressed  employers, 
those with gross  receipts that are less  than 10% 
of what they were  in the same calendar quarter 
in 2019, are able to treat al  wages as qualified 
wages.  
The credit is restructured to be claimed  against 
the employer’s  share of the hospital insurance 
(HI) payrol  tax (as opposed to the OSADI and 
equivalent amount of RRTA tax).  
Part 7—Premium Tax Credit 
Improving 
For 2021 and 2022, temporarily  expands 
For background, see 
Affordability by 
eligibility  for and the amount of the premium  tax 
 
CRS Report R44425, 
Health 
Expanding Premium 
credit (PTC) by modifying the income  eligibility 
Insurance  Premium Tax Credits 
Assistance  for 
criteria  and credit formula.   
and Cost-Sharing  Subsidies, by 
Consumers 
Regarding income,  temporarily  expands eligibility 
Bernadette Fernandez. 
by eliminating the current-law phaseout for 
households with annual incomes  above 400% of 
the federal poverty level  (FPL).  
Regarding the formula,  temporarily  increases  the 
credit amount by reducing the percentage of 
annual income that eligible  households are 
required to contribute toward the premium.  The 
temporary percentages range from 0.0% to 8.5% 
of household income,  with higher-income  groups 
subject to the larger  percentages, as specified. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Temporary 
For 2020, temporarily  provides  tax relief  to 
 
Modification of 
individuals who are subject to the current-law 
Limitations  on 
requirement  to pay back PTC amounts that were 
Reconciliation of Tax 
provided in excess. Temporarily  suspends the 
Credits for Coverage 
recapture of excess credit amounts under the 
Under a Qualified 
current tax reconciliation  process. 
Health Plan with 
Advance Payments of 
Such Credit 
Application of 
For 2021, temporarily  expands eligibility  for and 
For background, see 
Premium  Tax Credit 
the amount of the PTC for certain individuals 
 
CRS Report R45478, 
in Case of Individuals 
who receive  unemployment compensation (UC). 
Unemployment  Insurance: 
Receiving 
Temporarily  deems  individuals who receive  UC 
Legislative Issues in the 116th 
Unemployment 
for any week in calendar year 2021 to have met 
Congress, by Julie M. Whittaker 
Compensation During 
the PTC income eligibility  criteria.  Temporarily 
and Katelin P. Isaacs.  
2021 
disregards  any household income  above 
133% FPL.  
Part 8—Miscellaneous Provisions 
Repeal of Election to 
U.S. firms  are eligible  for foreign tax credits up to 
For background, see 
Al ocation  Interest, 
the amount of U.S. tax paid on foreign-source 
 
CRS Report RL34494, 
The 
Etc. on Worldwide 
income.  To impose  this limit,  U.S. and foreign-
Foreign Tax Credit’s  Interest 
Basis
 
source income must be determined.  Certain 
Al ocation Rules, by Jane G. 
deductions are al ocated between U.S. and 
Gravel e  and Donald J. 
foreign sources,  including interest. Until 2021, 
Marples.
 
firms  al ocated interest excluding that paid by 
foreign firms  (cal ed “waters edge” al ocation). 
Prior to ARPA, beginning in 2021, firms would 
have been able to elect to include interest paid 
by related foreign firms.  This treatment is cal ed 
worldwide  al ocation. It would have been 
beneficial for some firms  because some  of the 
interest paid for foreign firms would be al ocated 
to U.S. sources,  increasing foreign-source 
income,  increasing the limit  on the foreign tax 
credit and, thus, increasing foreign tax credits 
that reduce tax liability.  A provision was adopted 
in 2004 to move to worldwide  al ocation, but it 
was delayed by other legislation  and was 
scheduled to begin in 2021. 
This provision  repeals the election  to move to 
worldwide  al ocation.
 
Tax Treatment of 
Under normal  tax rules,  a forgiven debt is 
For background, see 
Targeted Economic 
general y treated as taxable income to the 
 
CRS Insight IN11378, 
IRS 
Injury Disaster  Loan 
borrower.  Prior  legislation  has al owed forgiven 
Guidance Says No Deduction  Is 
Advances 
loans for certain programs (such as those 
Al owed for Business Expenses 
provided by the Paycheck Protection Program, or 
Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans, by 
PPP, and certain other smal   business loans) to be 
Sean Lowry and Jane G. 
excluded from income.  Fol owing  an IRS ruling 
Gravel e. 
that associated expenses would not be 
deductible, legislation  specified that associated 
 
CRS Report R46284, 
COVID-19 
expenses would be deductible. This provision 
Relief Assistance to Smal  
extends this treatment (exclusion from  income 
Businesses: Issues and Policy 
and deduction of expenses) to additional 
Options,  by Robert Jay Dilger, 
Economic Injury Disaster  Loan (EIDL) advances 
Bruce R. Lindsay, and Sean 
on loans that are not required to be repaid. 
Lowry. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
 
CRS Insight IN11370, 
SBA EIDL 
and Emergency EIDL Grants for 
COVID-19, by Bruce R. Lindsay. 
Tax Treatment of 
Under normal  tax rules,  a forgiven debt is  treated  For background, see 
Restaurant 
as taxable income to the borrower.  Prior 
 
CRS Insight IN11378, 
IRS 
Revitalization Grants 
legislation  has al owed forgiven loans for certain 
Guidance Says No Deduction  Is 
programs (such as those provided by the 
Al owed for Business Expenses 
Paycheck Protection Program,  or PPP, and 
Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans, by 
certain other smal   business loans) to be 
Sean Lowry and Jane G. 
excluded from income.  Fol owing  an IRS ruling 
Gravel e. 
that associated expenses would not be 
deductible, legislation  specified that associated 
 
CRS Report R46284, 
COVID-19 
expenses would be deductible. This provision 
Relief Assistance to Smal  
extends this treatment (exclusion from  income 
Businesses: Issues and Policy 
and deduction of expenses) to additional grants 
Options,  by Robert Jay Dilger, 
made from the new Restaurant Revitalization 
Bruce R. Lindsay, and Sean 
Fund. 
Lowry. 
Modification of 
Credit card companies and electronic  payment 
 
Exceptions for 
processors  are required to annual y file aggregate 
Reporting of Third 
transaction reports with the IRS listing total 
Party Network 
annual payments to merchants (Internal Revenue 
Transactions 
Code §6050W). Prior  to ARPA, a de minimus 
reporting exception provided that third-party 
settlement  organizations were only required to 
report transactions of payees who received  more 
than $20,000 and conducted more  than 200 
transactions per year. This provision  modifies  the 
threshold for reporting,  setting it at $600 per 
year.  
Modification of 
Excludes from gross income  qualifying student 
For background, see 
Treatment of Student 
loans for postsecondary education discharged, for    CRS Report R43571, 
Federal 
Loan Forgiveness 
almost any reason, between December  31, 2020, 
Student Loan Forgiveness and 
and January 1, 2026. Qualifying student loans 
Loan Repayment  Programs, 
include al  federal student loans, and certain 
coordinated by Alexandra 
private education and institutional loans. Hence, 
Hegji.   
these amounts of discharged student loan debt 
wil   not be subject to taxation. 
 
CRS Report R45931, 
Federal 
Student Loans Made Through the 
Wil iam  D. Ford Federal Direct 
Loan Program:  Terms and 
Conditions  for Borrowers,  by 
David P. Smole.   
Source: CRS based on P.L. 117-2,
 Title IX, Subtitle G.  
a.  For example,  if a married  couple has three children under 6 years old, the maximum  credit they are eligible 
for is $10,800 ($3,600 x 3) if  their income is under $150,000. For taxpayers with income over $150,000, the 
additional $4,800 of the credit ($1,600 x 3) phases down at a rate of 5%. At $246,000 of income,  the credit 
is $6,000 ($2,000 x 3), the current-law amount. The credit remains  at this amount until the taxpayer’s 
income reaches the existing threshold of $400,000. At that point, the credit phases out under the 
provisions  of current law (5% phaseout rate). 
b.  The law includes as part of the definition of a student someone  carrying half or more  of the normal  ful -time 
workload for their program of study, as defined under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §25A(b)(3). 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Table 2. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; H.R. 1319): Title IX, Subtitle G—
Tax Provisions Related to “Promoting Economic Security” as passed the House of 
Representatives February 27, 2021 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Subtitle G—Promoting  Economic  Security 
Part 1—2021 Recovery Rebates  to Individuals 
Recovery Rebates to 
Would enact a third round of direct payments 
For more  information,  see 
Individuals 
for individuals and households (“stimulus 
 
CRS Insight IN11604, 
COVID-
checks”). These payments would be structured as 
19 and Direct Payments: 
refundable tax credits  against 2021 income taxes, 
Frequently  Asked Questions 
but would be issued (and hence received) in 
(FAQs) About the Third Round of 
2021, as opposed to 2022 (when 2021 income 
“Stimulus  Checks”  in the 
tax returns wil   be filed). Amount and eligibility 
American  Rescue Plan Act of 
for the advanced credit would general y be based 
2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2), by 
on information from 2020 income tax returns (or 
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
2019 returns, if 2020 returns have not been filed 
when the advanced credit is initial y issued). For 
 
CRS Insight IN11605, 
COVID-
households whose payment was based on 2019 
19 and Direct Payments: 
income data, and who would be eligible  to 
Comparison  of First and Second 
receive  a larger payment based on 2020 data, the 
Round of “Stimulus  Checks”  to 
IRS would be directed to issue  a supplementary 
the Third  Round in the American 
payment (a “top up”) within 90 days of the tax 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; 
filing deadline or September  1, 2021, whichever 
P.L. 117-2), by Margot L. 
date is earlier.   
Crandal -Hol ick.   
Payments would general y be issued per 
For background, see 
household and equal the sum of $1,400 per 
 
CRS Report R46415, 
CARES 
eligible  individual ($2,800 for married  joint filers) 
Act (P.L. 116-136) Direct 
and $1,400 for each eligible  dependent (including 
Payments:  Resources and 
older children and adult dependents). For each 
Experts, coordinated by Margot 
individual who died before January 1, 2021, the 
L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
payment amount would be reduced from  $1,400 
 
CRS Insight IN11576, 
COVID-
to $0. 
19 and Direct Payments  to 
The payment would phase out ratably (i.e., 
Individuals:  Comparison  of the 
proportional y) between $75,000 and $100,000 
Second Round of “Stimulus 
for single filers,  $112,500 and $150,000 for head 
Checks”  in P.L. 116-260 to the 
of household filers,  and $150,000 and $200,000 
First Round in the CARES Act 
for married  joint filers.  The larger the total credit 
(P.L. 116-136), by Margot L. 
amount, the faster the payment would phase out 
Crandal -Hol ick. 
using this method. 
 
CRS Insight IN11575, 
COVID-
Eligible individuals and dependents would 
19 and Direct Payments  to 
general y need to have a social security number 
Individuals:  Frequently  Asked 
(SSN) to receive  the payment. (Adoption 
Questions (FAQs) About the 
taxpayer ID numbers would also be valid for 
Second Round of “Stimulus 
dependents.) The maximum payment amount 
Checks”  in P.L. 116-260, by 
($1,400) would be reduced to $0 for each 
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
otherwise  eligible  individual or qualifying 
dependent who does not have an SSN (i.e.,  they 
 
CRS Insight IN11580, 
COVID-
have an individual taxpayer identification number, 
19 and Direct Payments: 
or ITIN, instead). This provision  would not apply 
Summary  of the CASH Act (H.R. 
to married  members  of the Armed  Forces if at 
9051, 116th Congress) 
least one spouse had an SSN. In such cases, they 
Modifications  to “Stimulus 
would be eligible  for up to $2,800. If no eligible 
Checks”,  by Margot L. Crandal -
individual had an SSN (i.e.,  an unmarried taxpayer 
Hol ick. 
does not have an SSN or neither spouse of a 
married  joint filing couple has an SSN), they 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
would stil   receive  a payment for a qualifying 
dependent with an SSN. 
The advanced payment of the credit would 
general y be exempt from offset by Treasury 
prior to when the payment is issued for certain 
past-due debts owed by the recipient (including 
past-due child support). However,  the amount 
the taxpayer would claim as a credit on their 
2021 tax returns would general y be subject to 
offset.  
For eligible  individuals who did not file a 2020 or 
2019 income tax return, the IRS would be given 
broad authority to make payments based on 
information available to the Treasury, in a similar 
manner as was done with the second round of 
payments enacted under P.L. 116-260.  
Treasury would be directed to make  payments to 
the U.S. territories  (mirror  code and non-mirror 
code) equal to the aggregate amount issued to 
their residents as a result of this provision.  (Many 
territorial  residents wil   receive  this benefit under 
a version of the provision  administered  via the 
territorial  government, rather than the IRS.) 
These payments would not be taxable. In 
addition, like  other tax credits,  these payments 
would not count as income  or resources  for a 
12-month period in determining  eligibility  for, or 
the amount of assistance provided by, any 
federal y  funded public benefit program. 
If a taxpayer received  a larger advanced credit in 
2021 than they were  eligible  for on their 2021 
income tax return, they general y  would not be 
required to pay it back. If an individual received 
an advanced payment less than what they were 
eligible  for on their 2021 income tax return, they 
could claim  the difference  on that return (filed in 
2021). 
Part 2—Child  Tax Credit 
Child Tax Credit 
For 2021, would temporarily  increase the 
For more  information,  see 
Improvements  for 
amount of the child tax credit for low- and 
 
CRS Insight IN11613, 
The Child 
2021 
moderate-income  taxpayers to up to $3,600 per 
Tax Credit:  Temporary  Expansion 
child for a young child and up to $3,000 for older 
for 2021 Under  the American 
children by modifying several  provisions  of the 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; 
existing credit. First,  the bil  would eliminate  the 
P.L. 117-2), by Margot L. 
earned-income-based phase-in of the refundable 
Crandal -Hol ick. 
portion of the child credit (often referred  to as 
the “additional child credit” or ACTC) and 
For background, see 
eliminate  the maximum  amount of the ACTC 
 
CRS Report R41873, 
The Child 
($1,400). Hence, the child credit would be “ful y 
Tax Credit:  How It Works  and 
refundable” and available to otherwise  eligible 
Who Receives It, by Margot L. 
taxpayers with no earned income.  Second, the 
Crandal -Hol ick. 
bil  would increase  the maximum age for an 
 
CRS Report R46502, 
The Child 
eligible  child to 17. Third, the bil  would increase 
Tax Credit:  Selected Legislative 
the maximum  amount of the credit from  $2,000 
Proposals  in the 116th Congress, 
per child to $3,600 per child for a young child (0-
by Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
5 years old) and $3,000 per child for an older 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
child (6-17 years old). This increase in the 
maximum  child credit of $1,600 per child for 
young children and $1,000 per child for older 
children would gradual y phase out at a rate of 
5% as income exceeded specified thresholds until 
the credit amount equaled the current-law 
maximum  of $2,000 per child. These thresholds 
would be $75,000 for single filers,  $112,500 for 
head of household filers,  and $150,000 for 
married  joint filers.  (The actual income  level at 
which the credit phased down to $2,000 per 
child would depend on the number and age of 
qualifying children.) For most families,  the credit 
would then remain at its current-law level  and 
phase out when income  exceeded the current-
law thresholds  of $200,000 ($400,000 for 
married  joint filers)
.a   Would direct the Treasury to issue half of the 
expected 2021 credit in periodic payments 
beginning July 1, 2021. These periodic  payments 
would general y  be of equal size. The remaining 
half of the total 2021 credit would be claimed on 
a 2021 income tax return filed in early 2022. The 
amount of the payments advanced in 2021 would 
be estimated  based on 2020 income tax data, or 
if unavailable, 2019 income tax data. The 
advanced child credit payments would reduce the 
child credit received  with a 2021 return. In cases 
where a taxpayer receives  more  in advanced 
payments than they are eligible  for (whether due 
to changes in income,  changes in filing status, or 
changes in the number of eligible  children who 
live with the taxpayer between 2021 and the year 
that provides data on which the advanced credit 
is based [2020 or 2019]), taxpayers would 
general y need to repay total aggregate advanced 
payments. In cases where a taxpayer received 
excess advanced payments due to net changes in 
the number of qualifying children between 2020 
(or 2019) and 2021, repayment obligations would 
be reduced for low- and moderate-income 
taxpayers. Specifical y,  taxpayers with income 
below $40,000 for single  filers,  $50,000 for head 
of household filers,  and $60,000 for joint filers  in 
2021 would not need to repay up to $2,000 per 
qualifying child in advanced credit overpayments 
(the $2,000 amount is referred  to as the “safe 
harbor amount”). Taxpayers with income above 
these thresholds but below $80,000 for single 
filers,  $100,000 for head of household filers,  and 
$120,000 for married  joint filers  would gradual y 
have the safe harbor amount reduced to $0 per 
qualifying child. Hence, taxpayers with income 
over $80,000 for single filers,  $100,000 for head 
of household filers,  and $120,000 for married 
joint filers  in 2021 would need to repay the 
entire amount of the overpayment.  
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
The bil  would create an online portal to al ow 
taxpayers the options to opt out of receiving 
advanced payments and to provide information 
regarding changes in income,  marital  status, and 
number of qualifying children in order  to modify 
the advanced credit amounts. 
Advanced payments would not be subject to 
offset prior  to when the payment is issued for 
certain past-due debts owed by the recipient. 
However,  the amount the taxpayer claims  as a 
credit on their 2021 tax returns would general y 
be subject to offset.  
The bil  would al ow the Treasury to adjust 
income tax withholding to accommodate these 
advance payments. 
Advanced payments would general y  not be 
available to eligible  residents  of U.S. territories.   
Application of the 
Would effectively expand child credit eligibility  to 
For background, see 
Child Tax Credit in 
residents  of U.S. territories  permanently. For 
 
CRS Report R44651, 
Tax Policy 
Possessions 
“mirror  code” territories,  the Treasury would 
and U.S. Territories:  Overview 
make payments equal to the territory’s  costs of 
and Issues for Congress, by Sean 
the child tax credit. For American  Samoa (a non-
Lowry. 
mirror  code territory),  the Treasury would make 
payments equal to the territory’s  costs of the 
 
child tax credit as if it were  a mirror  code 
territory.  In contrast, eligible  residents of Puerto 
Rico (also a non-mirror  code territory)  would file 
for the credit directly  with the IRS. 
Part 3—Earned  Income Tax Credit 
Strengthening the 
For 2021, would temporarily  expand both 
For more  information,  see 
Earned Income Tax 
eligibility  for and the amount of the earned 
 
CRS Insight IN11610, 
The 
Credit for Individuals 
income tax credit (EITC) for taxpayers without 
“Childless”  EITC: Temporary 
with no Qualifying 
qualifying children by modifying the eligibility  age 
Expansion for 2021 under  the 
Children 
and credit formula. 
American  Rescue Plan Act of 
Regarding eligibility  age, would expand eligibility 
2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2), by 
for the EITC for individuals with no qualifying 
Margot L. Crandal -Hol ick. 
children—sometimes  referred  to as the “childless 
For background, see  
EITC”—by reducing the minimum  eligibility  age 
from 25 to 19 for most workers.  In other words, 
 
CRS Report R43805, 
The 
this change would al ow most eligible  workers 
Earned Income Tax Credit 
ages 19 to 24 to claim  the childless  EITC. For 
(EITC): How It Works and Who 
students who are attending school at least part-
Receives It, by Margot L. 
time,  the age limit  would be temporarily  reduced 
Crandal -Hol ick,  Gene Falk, 
from 25 to 2
4.b For former  foster children and 
and Conor F. Boyle. 
youth who are homeless,  the minimum  age would 
temporarily  be reduced from 25 to 18. The bil  
would also temporarily  eliminate  the upper age 
limit,  so workers  aged 65 and older would be 
eligible.   
Regarding the credit amount, would temporarily 
increase  the childless  EITC by increasing the 
earned income amount (the minimum  income 
necessary to receive  the maximum  credit 
amount) and phaseout threshold amount (the 
maximum  income level  at which taxpayers 
receive  the maximum  credit amount before it 
Congressional Research Service  
 
17 
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
begins to phase out) to $9,820 and $11,610, 
respectively,  while also doubling the phase-in and 
phaseout rates from  7.65% to 15.3%. The 
maximum  childless  EITC would increase  from 
$543 to $1,502 in 2021. 
Taxpayer Eligible for 
Would permanently al ow taxpayers who 
 
Childless  Earned 
currently cannot claim the childless  EITC because 
Income Credit in Case  al  of their qualifying children do not have SSNs 
of Qualifying Children 
to be eligible  to claim  the childless  EITC. 
Who Fail to Meet 
Certain Identification 
Requirements 
Credit Al owed  in 
Would permanently al ow married  taxpayers 
 
Case of Certain 
who file their tax returns as married  filing 
Separated Spouses 
separately to claim  the EITC if they live with a 
child for whom they can claim the EITC for more 
than half the year and either (1) do not have the 
same principal place of abode as their spouse for 
the last six months of the year, or (2) have a 
decree,  instrument, or agreement (i.e.,  other 
than a divorce decree) and do not live  with their 
spouse at the end of the year. 
Modification of 
Would permanently modify the disqualified 
 
Disqualified 
investment income test. Under current law, 
Investment Income 
taxpayers with investment income over a certain 
Test 
threshold—$3,650 in 2020 and 2021—are 
ineligible  for the EITC. Disqualified investment 
income is defined as interest income  (including 
tax-exempt interest),  dividends, net rent, net 
capital gains, and net passive income.  It also 
includes royalties  from sources other than the 
filer’s  ordinary business activities.  This provision 
would permanently raise  this amount to $10,000 
and annual y adjust it for inflation beginning in 
2022. 
Application of Earned 
Would permanently provide authority to make 
 
Income Tax Credit in 
payments to Puerto Rico, American  Samoa, and 
Possession  of the 
mirror-code  territories  for amounts they pay out 
United States 
in the EITC. For Puerto Rico and American 
Samoa, such payments would be contingent upon 
increasing the amount of their EITC or enacting 
an EITC, respectively. 
Temporary Special 
For the purposes of calculating their EITC on 
 
Rule for Determining 
their 2021 income tax return, would al ow 
Earned Income for 
taxpayers to substitute their 2019 earned income 
Purposes of Earned 
for their 2021 earned income if their earned 
Income Tax Credit 
income at the end of 2021 was less  than their 
2019 earned income. 
Part 4—Dependent  Care Assistance 
Refundability and 
For 2021, would temporarily  expand the child 
For background, see 
Enhancement of Child 
and dependent care credit by making the credit 
 
CRS Report R44993, 
Child and 
and Dependent Care 
refundable and making it larger for most workers. 
Dependent  Care Tax Benefits: 
Tax Credit 
The CDCTC credit amount is a product of the 
How They Work and Who 
amount of qualifying expenses (which is subject 
Receives Them, by Margot L. 
to a cap) and the credit rate. The bil  would 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
increase  the cap on qualifying expenses from 
Crandal -Hol ick  and Conor F. 
$3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more 
Boyle. 
children to $8,000 and $16,000, respectively.  The 
bil  would also increase  the credit rate for 
workers  with $185,000 or less of income (the 
credit rate would remain the same as under 
current law for those with income over $185,000 
up to $400,000 [i.e.,  20%], and be reduced from 
current law for those with over $400,000 of 
income).  Specifical y,  for those with less than 
$125,000 of income, the credit rate would 
increase  to 50% (from 35%) of expenses.  This 
50% credit rate would gradual y phase down to 
20% until taxpayers had $185,000 of income.  For 
those with more  than $185,000 of income up to 
$400,000, the credit rate would then remain at 
20%, gradual y fal ing to zero when income 
exceeds $440,000. As a result, those with income 
over $440,000 would not be eligible  for the 
credit.  
By making the credit refundable, the bil   would 
effectively expand eligibility  to lower-income 
taxpayers. Under current law, the CDCTC is a 
nonrefundable credit, meaning the value of the 
credit cannot exceed a taxpayer’s income tax 
liability.  As a result,  those with little or no 
income tax liability,  including many low-income 
taxpayers, receive  little  or no benefit from the 
current credit. 
In combination, these changes would increase  the 
maximum  amount of the CDCTC from $2,100 to 
$8,000, based on expenses and income. 
The bil  would al ow the Treasury to make 
payments to Puerto Rico, American  Samoa, and 
mirror-code  territories  for the cost of providing 
the refundable CDCTC in 2021 to their 
territorial  residents.  (Non-mirror  code 
territories  [i.e.,  Puerto Rico and American 
Samoa] would need to develop a plan, approved 
by the Treasury Secretary,  to distribute the 
amounts of the refundable CDCTC to their 
residents.)    
Increase in Exclusion 
For 2021, would temporarily  increase the 
  
for Employer-
maximum  amount of qualifying child care 
Provided Dependent 
expenses that eligible  taxpayers could exclude 
Care Assistance 
from their income from  $5,000 to $10,500. 
Part 5—Credits  for Paid Sick and Family Leave 
Payrol  Credits 
Would extend the Families  First  Coronavirus 
For background, see 
Response Act (FFCRA; P.L.  116-127) employer 
 
CRS In Focus IF11739, 
Payrol  
payrol  tax credits  for paid sick and paid family 
Tax Credit for COVID-19 Sick 
leave from March 31, 2021, through September 
and Family Leave, by Mol y F. 
30, 2021. 
Sherlock. 
FFCRA paid sick leave was limited  to 10 days per 
employee.  This provision would reset the 10-day 
limit,  starting April 1, 2021, for employers 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
claiming the credit for paid sick  leave provided to 
their employees. 
Would expand the paid sick  and paid family leave 
credits to al ow credits  for leave taken to obtain 
immunization related to COVID-19 or recover 
from any injury, disability,  il ness,  or condition 
related to COVID-19 immunization. 
Would expand the definition of qualifying paid 
family leave to al ow  family leave payrol  tax 
credits to be claimed  for al  qualifying uses of paid 
sick time,  including for leave provided if the 
employee  is subject to a quarantine or isolation 
order due to COVID-19 or is caring for 
someone  in a similar  situation. 
The tax credit for family leave wages is limited  to 
$200 per day, and $10,000 total per employee. 
This provision  would increase  this limit  on the 
tax credit for paid family  leave wages, al owing 
the credit on up to $12,000 in paid family leave 
wages. 
Would add a nondiscrimination  rule to the paid 
leave payrol  tax credits,  providing employers 
could not claim the credits if paid leave  provided 
to employees  discriminates  in favor of highly 
compensated employees  or ful -time employees, 
or discriminates  on the basis of employment 
tenure with the employer. 
The paid sick and paid family leave tax credits are 
currently claimed against the Old-Age, Survivors 
and Disability  Insurance (OASDI) tax, or the 
equivalent amount of the Railroad Retirement 
Tax Act (RRTA) tax. This provision would 
restructure the paid sick and family  leave payrol  
tax credits to be claimed against the employer’s 
share of the hospital insurance (HI) payrol  tax, 
after March 31, 2021. The employer’s  share is 
1.45% of wages paid to employees.  This credit 
would not affect amounts transferred to the 
Federal  Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. 
Government employers,  including state and local 
government employers,  are not al owed  to claim 
paid leave payrol  tax credits.  This provision 
would provide that 501(c)(1) organizations and 
501(a) organizations could claim the tax credits, 
making certain state and local governments,  as 
wel   as 501(c)(1) federal government 
instrumentalities,  tax-credit eligible. 
Provision  provides that paid sick and paid family 
leave payrol  tax credits  can be increased  by the 
employer’s  share of OASDI and HI payrol  taxes 
(and equivalent RRTA tax) for the paid leave 
wages. Denial of double benefit applies, and gross 
income of the employer  is increased by the 
amount of the credit provided by this section. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Credit for Sick  Leave 
Under FFCRA,  self-employed  individuals are 
For background, see 
for Certain Self-
al owed a refundable income  tax credit for paid 
 
CRS In Focus IF11739, 
Payrol  
Employed Individuals 
sick leave.  This provision  would extend and 
Tax Credit for COVID-19 Sick 
expand the paid sick leave tax credits for self-
and Family Leave, by Mol y F. 
employed  individuals, similar  to the modifications 
Sherlock. 
made for employers  (described above).  
Credit for Family 
Under FFCRA,  self-employed  individuals are 
For background, see 
Leave for Certain Self-
al owed a refundable income  tax credit for paid 
 
CRS In Focus IF11739, 
Payrol  
Employed Individuals 
family leave.  This provision  would extend and 
Tax Credit for COVID-19 Sick 
expand the paid family leave tax credits for self-
and Family Leave, by Mol y F. 
employed  individuals, similar  to the modifications 
Sherlock 
made for employers  (described above). Tax 
credits could be claimed  for up to 60 days of 
family leave for self-employed  individuals. 
Part 6—Employee Retention  Credit 
Extension of 
Through June 30, 2021, the employee  retention 
For background, see 
Employee Retention 
and rehiring  tax credit is 70% of qualified wages. 
 
CRS In Focus IF11721, 
The 
Credit 
The refundable payrol  credit can be computed 
Employee Retention and 
on up to $10,000 in qualified wages paid to an 
Employee Retention and Rehiring 
eligible  employee  per calendar quarter. Thus, the 
Tax Credits,  by Mol y F. 
maximum  credit amount for 2021 is $14,000 
Sherlock. 
(70% of up to $20,000 in qualified wages paid 
over the first two quarters). Qualified wages 
depend on the number of employees  the 
employer  had in 2019. For employers  with more 
than 500 ful -time employees,  qualified wages are 
wages paid when employee  services  are not 
provided. For employers  with 500 or fewer ful -
time employees,  al  wages paid by eligible 
employers  are credit-eligible. 
This provision  would extend the employee 
retention credit through December  31, 2021. 
The credit would be restructured to be claimed 
against the employer’s  share of the hospital 
insurance (HI) payrol  tax (as opposed to the 
OSADI and equivalent amount of RRTA tax). 
Part 7—Premium Tax Credit 
Improving 
For 2021 and 2022, would temporarily  expand 
For background, see 
Affordability by 
eligibility  for and the amount of the premium  tax 
 
CRS Report R44425, 
Health 
Expanding Premium 
credit (PTC) by modifying the income  eligibility 
Insurance  Premium Tax Credits 
Assistance  for 
criteria  and credit formula.   
and Cost-Sharing  Subsidies, by 
Consumers 
Regarding income,  would temporarily  expand 
Bernadette Fernandez. 
eligibility  by eliminating  the current-law phaseout 
for households with annual incomes  above 400% 
of the federal poverty level (FPL).  
Regarding the formula,  would temporarily 
increase  the credit amount by reducing the 
percentage of annual income  that eligible 
households would be required to contribute 
toward the premium.  The temporary  percentages 
would range from  0.0% to 8.5% of household 
income,  with higher-income groups subject to 
the larger percentages, as specified. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
Temporary 
For 2020, would temporarily  provide tax relief  to 
 
Modification of 
individuals who would be subject to the current-
Limitations  on 
law requirement  to pay back PTC amounts that 
Reconciliation of Tax 
were provided in excess.  Would temporarily 
Credits for Coverage 
suspend the recapture of excess credit amounts 
Under a Qualified 
under the current tax reconciliation  process. 
Health Plan with 
Advance Payments of 
Such Credit 
Application of 
For 2021, would temporarily  expand eligibility  for 
For background, see 
Premium  Tax Credit 
and the amount of the PTC for certain individuals 
 
CRS Report R45478, 
in Case of Individuals 
who receive  unemployment compensation (UC). 
Unemployment  Insurance: 
Receiving 
Would temporarily  deem  individuals who receive 
Legislative Issues in the 116th 
Unemployment 
UC for any week  in calendar year 2021 to have 
Congress, by Julie M. Whittaker 
Compensation During 
met the PTC income  eligibility  criteria.  Would 
and Katelin P. Isaacs.  
2021 
temporarily  disregard  any household income 
above 133% FPL.  
Part 8—Miscellaneous Provisions 
Repeal of Election to 
U.S. firms  are eligible  for foreign tax credits up to 
For background, see 
Al ocation  Interest, 
the amount of U.S. tax paid on foreign-source 
 
CRS Report RL34494, 
The 
Etc. on Worldwide 
income.  To impose  this limit,  U.S. and foreign-
Foreign Tax Credit’s  Interest 
Basis
 
source income must be determined.  Certain 
Al ocation Rules, by Jane G. 
deductions are al ocated between U.S. and 
Gravel e  and Donald J. 
foreign sources,  including interest. Until 2021, 
Marples.
 
firms  al ocated interest excluding that paid by 
foreign firms  (cal ed “waters edge” al ocation). 
Under current law, beginning in 2021, firms  can 
elect to include interest  paid by related foreign 
firms.  This treatment is cal ed worldwide 
al ocation. It is beneficial for some firms  because 
some  of the interest paid for foreign firms  is 
al ocated to U.S. sources,  increasing foreign-
source income,  increasing the limit  on the foreign 
tax credit and, thus, increasing foreign tax credits 
that reduce tax liability.  A provision was adopted 
in 2004 to move to worldwide  al ocation, but it 
has been delayed by other legislation  and is 
scheduled to begin in 2021. This provision  would 
repeal the election to move to worldwide 
al ocation.
 
Tax Treatment of 
Under normal  tax rules,  a forgiven debt is 
For background, see 
Targeted Economic 
general y treated as taxable income to the 
 
CRS Insight IN11378, 
IRS 
Injury Disaster  Loan 
borrower.  Prior  legislation  has al owed forgiven 
Guidance Says No Deduction  Is 
Advances 
loans for certain programs (such as those 
Al owed for Business Expenses 
provided by the Paycheck Protection Program, or 
Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans, by 
PPP, and certain other smal   business loans) to be 
Sean Lowry and Jane G. 
excluded from income.  Fol owing  an IRS ruling 
Gravel e. 
that associated expenses would not be 
deductible, legislation  specified that associated 
 
CRS Report R46284, 
COVID-19 
expenses would be deductible. This provision 
Relief Assistance to Smal  
would extend this treatment (exclusion from 
Businesses: Issues and Policy 
income and deduction of expenses) to additional 
Options,  by Robert Jay Dilger, 
Economic Injury Disaster  Loan (EIDL) advances 
Bruce R. Lindsay, and Sean 
on loans that are not required to be repaid. 
Lowry. 
Congressional Research Service  
 
22 
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
Section Title 
Description 
CRS Resources 
 
CRS Insight IN11370, 
SBA EIDL 
and Emergency EIDL Grants for 
COVID-19, by Bruce R. Lindsay. 
Tax Treatment of 
Under normal  tax rules,  a forgiven debt is treated  For background, see 
Restaurant 
as taxable income to the borrower.  Prior 
 
CRS Insight IN11378, 
IRS 
Revitalization Grants 
legislation  has al owed forgiven loans for certain 
Guidance Says No Deduction  Is 
programs (such as those provided by the 
Al owed for Business Expenses 
Paycheck Protection Program,  or PPP, and 
Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans, by 
certain other smal   business loans) to be 
Sean Lowry and Jane G. 
excluded from income.  Fol owing  an IRS ruling 
Gravel e. 
that associated expenses would not be 
deductible, legislation  specified that associated 
 
CRS Report R46284, 
COVID-19 
expenses would be deductible. This provision 
Relief Assistance to Smal  
would extend this treatment (exclusion from 
Businesses: Issues and Policy 
income and deduction of expenses) to additional 
Options,  by Robert Jay Dilger, 
grants made from the new Restaurant 
Bruce R. Lindsay, and Sean 
Revitalization Fund. 
Lowry. 
Modification of 
Credit card companies and electronic  payment 
 
Exceptions for 
processors  are required to annual y file aggregate 
Reporting of Third 
transaction reports with the IRS listing total 
Party Network 
annual payments to merchants (Internal Revenue 
Transactions 
Code §6050W). A de minimus  reporting 
exception provides that third-party settlement 
organizations are only required  to report 
transactions of payees who receive  more  than 
$20,000 and conduct more  than 200 transactions 
per year. This provision  would modify the 
threshold for reporting,  setting it at $600 per 
year.  
Source: H.R. 1319, Title IX, Subtitle G, as passed the House on February 27, 2021.  
a.  For example,  if a married  couple had three children under 6 years old, the maximum  credit they would be 
eligible  for would be $10,800 ($3,600 x 3) if they had income  under $150,000. For taxpayers with  income 
over $150,000, the additional $4,800 of the credit ($1,600 x 3) would be reduced at a rate of 5%. At 
$246,000 of income, the credit would be $6,000 ($2,000 x 3), the current-law amount. The credit would 
remain  at this amount until the taxpayer’s income reached the current-law thresholds of $400,000. At that 
point, the credit would phase out under the provisions of current law (5% phaseout rate). 
b.  The legislation  includes as part of the definition of a student someone  carrying half or more  of the normal 
ful -time workload  for their program of study, as defined under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §25A(b)(3).  
 
 
Congressional Research Service  
 
23 
 
Table 3. Estimated Cost of Title IX, Subtitle G of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) 
Fiscal Years; Mil ions of Dol ars 
Provision 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 
2021-2031 
Part 1—2021 Recovery Rebates  to Individuals 
Recovery Rebates to Individuals 
393,714 
16,918 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
410,632 
Part 2—Child  Tax Credit 
Child Tax Credit: Improvements  for 
25,826 
79,249 
710 
721 
725 
721 
307 
311 
316 
320 
323 
109,529 
2021 and Application of the Child 
Tax Credit in Possessions 
Part 3—Earned  Income Tax Credit 
Strengthening the Earned Income 
521 
11,361 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
11,882 
Tax Credit for Individuals with no 
Qualifying Children 
Taxpayer Eligible for Childless 
(i) 
12 
2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
26 
Earned Income Credit in Case of 
Qualifying Children Who Fail to 
Meet Certain Identification 
Requirements 
Credit Al owed  in Case of Certain 
1 
20 
21 
22 
23 
25 
25 
27 
28 
30 
31 
252 
Separated Spouses 
Modification of Disqualified 
24 
330 
198 
200 
225 
229 
238 
233 
231 
240 
251 
2,399 
Investment Income Test 
Application of Earned Income Tax 
- 
738 
746 
764 
781 
798 
814 
831 
849 
867 
885 
8,074 
Credit in Possession  of the United 
States 
Temporary Special Rule for 
- 
3,185 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
3,185 
Determining  Earned Income for 
Purposes of Earned Income Tax 
Credit 
Total of Earned Income Tax Credit 
546 
15,646 
967 
987 
1,030 
1,053 
1,079 
1,093 
1,110 
1,139 
1,169 
25,818 
CRS-24 
 
Provision 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 
2021-2031 
Part 4—Dependent  Care Assistance 
Refundability and Enhancement of 
2,127 
5,837 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7,964 
Child and Dependent Care Tax 
Credit 
Increase in Exclusion for Employer-
78 
39 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
117 
Provided Dependent Care 
Assistance 
Total of Dependent Care  Assistance 
2,205 
5,876 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8,081 
Part 5—Credits  for Paid Sick and Family Leave 
Extension and Modification of 
4,506 
1,747 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,253 
Credits for Paid Sick and Family 
Leave 
Part 6—Employee Retention  Credit 
Extension and Modification of the 
3,076 
7,146 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
10,222 
Employee Retention Credit 
Part 7—Premium Tax Credit 
Improving Affordability by Expanding 
4,137 
22,234 
7,964 
536 
-23 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
34,847 
Premium  Assistance  for Consumers 
Temporary Modification of 
4,696 
1,565 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,261 
Limitations  on Reconciliation of Tax 
Credits for Coverage Under a 
Qualified Health Plan with Advance 
Payments of Such Credit 
Application of Premium  Tax Credit 
2,624 
1,660 
232 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,516 
in Case of Individuals Receiving 
Unemployment Compensation 
During 2021 
Total of the Premium  Tax Credit 
11,457 
25,459 
8,196 
536 
-23 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
45,624 
CRS-25 
 link to page 28  link to page 28 
 
Provision 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 
2021-2031 
Part 8—Miscellaneous Provisions 
Repeal of Election to Al ocation 
-335 
-1,277 
-2,023  -2,284 
-2,383  -2,334  -2,358 
-2,385 
-2,343 
-2,283  -2,327 
-22,331 
Interest, Etc. on Worldwide  Basis 
Tax Treatment of Targeted EIDL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimate Not 
Advances 
Availablea
 
Tax Treatment of Restaurant 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimate Not 
Revitalization Grants 
Availablea 
Modification of Exceptions for 
- 
-146 
-1,081 
-751 
-789 
-829 
-870 
-913 
-959 
-1,007  -1,057 
-8,403 
Reporting of Third Party Network 
Transactions 
Modification of Treatment of 
1 
8 
8 
9 
9 
9 
(i) 
(i) 
- 
- 
- 
44 
Student Loan Forgiveness 
Total of Miscel aneous Provisions 
-334 
-1,415 
-3,096   -3,026 
-3,163 
-3,154 
-3,228 
-3,298 
-3,302 
-3,290 
-3,384 
-30,690 
Source:  Joint Committee  on Taxation, Estimated Revenue Effects Of H.R. 1319, The “American  Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,” As Amended By The Senate, Scheduled for 
Consideration by the House of Representatives,  JCX-14-21, March 9, 2021, at https://www.jct.gov/publications/2021/jcx-14-21/. 
Notes: A negative number indicates the provision is estimated  to result in a revenue gain. An (i) indicates a cost of less  than $500,000. An (i ) indicates a gain of less than 
$500,000. 
a.  The Joint Committee  on Taxation (JCT) revenue estimate  indicates that the cost estimate  for this provision  wil  be provided by the Congressional  Budget Office. 
The estimate  is not included in JCT’s estimate  of the revenue effects.   
 
 
CRS-26 
 
Table 4. Estimated Cost of Title IX, Subtitle G of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; H.R. 1319) as passed the 
House of Representatives February 27, 2021 
Fiscal Years; Mil ions of Dol ars 
Provision 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 
2021-2031 
Part 1—2021 Recovery Rebates  to Individuals 
Recovery Rebates to Individuals 
404,937 
17,400 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
422,337 
Part 2—Child  Tax Credit 
Child Tax Credit: Improvements  for 
25,826 
79,249 
710 
721 
725 
721 
307 
311 
316 
320 
323 
109,529 
2021 and Application of the Child 
Tax Credit in Possessions 
Part 3—Earned  Income Tax Credit 
Strengthening the Earned Income 
521 
11,361 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
11,882 
Tax Credit for Individuals with no 
Qualifying Children 
Taxpayer Eligible for Childless 
(i) 
12 
2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
26 
Earned Income Credit in Case of 
Qualifying Children Who Fail to 
Meet Certain Identification 
Requirements 
Credit Al owed  in Case of Certain 
1 
20 
21 
22 
23 
25 
25 
27 
28 
30 
31 
252 
Separated Spouses 
Modification of Disqualified 
24 
330 
198 
200 
225 
229 
238 
233 
231 
240 
251 
2,399 
Investment Income Test 
Application of Earned Income Tax 
- 
738 
746 
764 
781 
798 
814 
831 
849 
867 
885 
8,074 
Credit in Possession  of the United 
States 
Temporary Special Rule for 
- 
3,185 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
3,185 
Determining  Earned Income for 
Purposes of Earned Income Tax 
Credit 
Total of Earned Income Tax Credit 
546 
15,646 
967 
987 
1,030 
1,053 
1,079 
1,093 
1,110 
1,139 
1,169 
25,818 
CRS-27 
 
Provision 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 
2021-2031 
Part 4—Dependent  Care Assistance 
Refundability and Enhancement of 
2,127 
5,837 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
7,964 
Child and Dependent Care Tax 
Credit 
Increase in Exclusion for Employer-
78 
39 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
117 
Provided Dependent Care 
Assistance 
Total of Dependent Care  Assistance 
2,205 
5,876 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8,081 
Part 5—Credits  for Paid Sick and Family Leave 
Extension and Modification of 
4,409 
1,742 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,151 
Credits for Paid Sick and Family 
Leave 
Part 6—Employee Retention  Credit 
Extension and Modification of the 
2,791 
5,993 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
(i ) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
8,784 
Employee Retention Credit 
Part 7—Premium Tax Credit 
Improving Affordability by Expanding 
4,137 
22,234 
7,964 
536 
-23 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
34,847 
Premium  Assistance  for Consumers 
Temporary Modification of 
4,696 
1,565 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,261 
Limitations  on Reconciliation of Tax 
Credits for Coverage Under a 
Qualified Health Plan with Advance 
Payments of Such Credit 
Application of Premium  Tax Credit 
2,624 
1,660 
232 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,516 
in Case of Individuals Receiving 
Unemployment Compensation 
During 2021 
Total of the Premium  Tax Credit 
11,457 
25,459 
8,196 
536 
-23 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
45,624 
CRS-28 
 link to page 28  link to page 28 
 
Provision 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030 
2031 
2021-2031 
Part 8—Miscellaneous Provisions 
Repeal of Election to Al ocation 
-335 
-1,277 
-2,023  -2,284 
-2,383  -2,334  -2,358 
-2,385 
-2,343 
-2,283  -2,327 
-22,331 
Interest, Etc. on Worldwide  Basis 
Tax Treatment of Targeted EIDL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimate Not 
Advances 
Availablea
 
Tax Treatment of Restaurant 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimate Not 
Revitalization Grants 
Availablea 
Modification of Exceptions for 
- 
-146 
-1,081 
-751 
-789 
-829 
-870 
-913 
-959 
-1,007  -1,057 
-8,403 
Reporting of Third Party Network 
Transactions 
Total of Miscel aneous Provisions 
-335 
-1,423 
-3,104   -3,035 
-3,172 
-3,163 
-3,228 
-3,298 
-3,302 
-3,290 
-3,384 
-30,734 
Source: Joint Committee  on Taxation, 
Estimated Revenue Effects Of H.R. 1319, The “American  Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,” Scheduled  For Consideration  By The House Of 
Representatives  On February  26, 2021, JCX-12-21, February 26, 2021, at https://www.jct.gov/publications/2021/jcx-12-21/.  
Notes: A negative number indicates the provision is estimated  to result in a revenue gain. An (i) indicates a cost of less  than $500 ,000. An (i ) indicates a gain of less than 
$500,000. 
a.  The Joint Committee  on Taxation (JCT) revenue estimate  indicates that the cost estimate  for this provision  wil  be provided b y the Congressional  Budget Office. 
The estimate  is not included in JCT’s estimate  of the revenue effects.   
 
 
CRS-29 
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Title IX, Subtitle G—Tax Provisions 
 
 
 
Author Information 
 Molly F. Sherlock 
  Jane G. Gravelle 
Specialist in Public Finance 
Senior Specialist in Economic Policy 
    
    
Margot L. Crandall-Hollick 
   
Acting Section Research Manager     
 
 
Disclaimer 
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Congressional Research Service  
R46680
 · VERSION 10 · UPDATED 
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