Mass. coalition relaunches push to raise earned income tax credit
Mar 30, 2023
As tax reforms spring back into the conversation on Beacon Hill, a coalition of 30 organizations pitched its priorities that leaders said would buoy low- and moderate-income families.
The Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition’s platform includes increasing the earned income tax credit (EITC) from 30 percent to 50 percent of the federal credit, and following the Healey administration’s plan to combine two existing dependent tax credits into a single child and family benefit of at least $600 per dependent.
“This year, Massachusetts has the opportunity to lead the nation in promoting equitable tax policies that invest in the wellbeing of families and the health of our communities,” said Allison Bovell-Ammon of Children’s Health Watch.
The coalition held a “relaunch” event at the State House at the same hour that Speaker Ronald Mariano was announcing to business leaders at a hotel across town that a comprehensive House tax relief plan would “soon” emerge.
Supporters emphasized the timeliness of their push, which also came a couple days after the Revenue Committee heard testimony on Gov. Maura Healey’s tax relief proposal and less than a month ahead of the House budget debate.
Sen. Jamie Eldridge noted that lawmakers “came very close to expanding the EITC last year” in an economic development bill; the House tax package in 2022 would have upped EITC to 40 percent of the federal credit. Legislative leaders wound up swiping tax relief off the table in late-session talks.
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EMPath is part of the coalition of 30 organizations advocating for tax reforms.