Broadening Tax Credits To Aid Working Families

A credit to enhance income security for both low-income families could broaden the political constituency for investments in working families.

1 minute read

September 2, 2003, 12:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


In a policy environment averse to direct spending on programs dedicated to income support, a variety of federal tax credits have emerged as key vehicles for providing assistance to low-to-moderate income families. Indeed, the two largest individual income tax credits—the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC)—will represent over $75 billion in tax expenditures in 2003. Looking for ways to expand the constituency for tax credits to include more "working families" with low-to-middle incomes, this paper reviews the current regime of tax credits, their design, and the political dynamics behind their appeal.

Thanks to Elena Sheridan

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 in The Brookings Institution

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