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Publications
Author: Maag, Elaine
Considerations in Efforts to Restructure Work-Based Credits (Research Report)
Author(s):
Steve Holt , Elaine Maag
The Internal Revenue Code has replaced traditional means-tested programs as the principal means for transferring income to low earners. The largest vehicle is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), now supplemented by both the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Making Work Pay tax credit (MWP).
This paper looks at the system's evolution, the important role played by the tax system in assisting low earners, and the complexities presented by the current approach. It offers principles to guide the design of a worker credit and child benefit that would replace the EITC, CTC, and MWP, along with a specific proposal.
Published: 11/09/09
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Credits and Exemptions for Children (Article/Tax Facts)
Author(s):
Elaine Maag
The Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit (CTC), Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), and the dependent exemption all provide benefits to families
with children. In 2009, a single mom (or dad) with two children can receive benefits ranging from $0 to about $7,500 - depending on her income, age of the children,
and where the children live. While this assistance is extremely important to many low-income families, they
must navigate a bewildering set of rules to take full advantage of the credits. Due to the piecewise implementation of these credits and exemptions, total benefits bounce around erratically as income grows.
Published: 10/14/09
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The Effect of Alternative Savings Approaches on College Aid (Article/Opportunity and Ownership Facts)
Author(s):
Elaine Maag
To pay for college, many low- and moderate-income students and their families rely on financial aid and savings. But how students and families save—and in whose name—affects both the tax consequences and the impact of savings on financial aid. Not saving in a tax-preferred account can raise the out-of-pocket costs of college by thousands of dollars. Alternately, saving for college can result in tax penalties if families do not use tax-preferred savings for education.
Published: 08/24/09
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Tax Stimulus Report Card: Conference Bill (Research Report)
Author(s):
Rosanne Altshuler , Leonard E. Burman , Howard Gleckman , Dan Halperin , Benjamin H. Harris , Elaine Maag , Kim Rueben , Eric Toder , Roberton Williams
This report card evaluates the provisions of the Finance and Ways & Means Committees' conference tax stimulus bill (the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009"). The evaluation is preliminary and does not include all of the provisions in the bill most notably we omit provisions related to state and local debt and recovery zone credits. TPC will update the report card if significant changes occur before Congress passes the bill.
Published: 02/13/09
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Tax Stimulus Report Card: Senate Finance Committee (Research Report)
Author(s):
Rosanne Altshuler , Leonard E. Burman , Howard Gleckman , Dan Halperin , Benjamin H. Harris , Elaine Maag , Kim Rueben , Eric Toder , Roberton Williams
The Tax Policy Center has graded the key tax provisions of the pending Senate stimulus bill (the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Plan of 2009"). Our grades, which rely on the bill's legislative language, focus on how well these measures would boost the economy in the short run. Accompanying write-ups describe current law, the proposed change, and the short- and long-term effects on the budget, the economy, fairness and tax complexity. We will update the report card as we learn more about the provisions and as the stimulus bill moves through Congress.
Published: 01/29/09
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Tax Stimulus Report Card: House Bill (Research Report)
Author(s):
Rosanne Altshuler , Leonard E. Burman , Howard Gleckman , Elaine Maag , Eric Toder , Roberton Williams
The Tax Policy Center has graded the key tax provisions of the pending House stimulus bill (the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Plan of 2009"). Our grades, which rely on the bill's legislative language, focus on how well these measures would boost the economy in the short run. Accompanying write-ups describe current law, the proposed change, and the short- and long-term effects on the budget, the economy, fairness and tax complexity. We will update the report card as we learn more about the provisions and as the stimulus bill moves through Congress.
Published: 01/26/09
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The Next Stage for Social Policy: : Encouraging Work and Family Formation among Low-Income Men (Discussion Papers/Tax Policy Center)
Author(s):
Adam Carasso , Harry Holzer , Elaine Maag , C. Eugene Steuerle
The Earned Income Tax Credit enjoyed marked success bringing low-income women into the labor force in recent years. At the same time, labor force participation by low-income or less-education men stagnated, and declined among young black men. In response to these labor market conditions, this paper analyzes several EITC reform options directed at increasing the EITC for low-income workers, in the hopes of drawing these men into the labor force. We estimate the cost of various proposals and put forth an additional proposal that breaks the EITC into two components – one focused on individual workers and one focused on supporting children.
Published: 10/22/08
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Understanding States' Fiscal Health During and After the 2001 Recession (Article/Tax Facts)
Author(s):
Elaine Maag , David Merriman
Every state except Vermont operates under some sort of balanced budget requirement. That means that to serve the increased need of distressed populations during recessions, states must either increase revenue or reallocate resources dedicated to other programs. Similarly, when revenue declines, states must raise taxes or reallocate resources. This report examines the extent to which rainy day and general fund savings were a significant factor in helping states cope with fiscal stress during and after the 2001 recession, a possible explanation for the lower than expected legislated tax increases and social welfare cuts.
Published: 01/30/08
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The Disappearing Child Care Credit (Article/Tax Facts)
Author(s):
Elaine Maag
There are two primary tax benefits parents use to offset childcare costs. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) provides a tax credit of up to 35 percent on up to $3,000 of expenses per child ($6,000 total), for a maximum credit of $1,050 per child ($2100 total). Or, employees can arrange with their employers to exclude up to $5,000 from their salary to pay for child care. While benefits from the CDCTC swamped those available from the exclusion in 2006; benefits from the child care credit are projected to decline dramatically, largely due to the increase in the number of taxpayers subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) beginning in 2008.
Published: 10/11/07
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Subsidizing Higher Education Through Tax and Spending Programs (Policy Briefs/Tax Policy: Issues and Options)
Author(s):
Elaine Maag , David Mundel , Lois Rice , Kim Rueben
In 1997 Congress enacted a number of tax benefits directed toward helping middle- and upper-middle income groups meet rising college costs. This shift in goals and strategies raises concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the evolving federal approach to higher education. This policy brief analyzes who benefits from the major direct spending program, Pell grants, and the three tax subsidies that most closely resemble grants, the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits and the deduction for tuition and fees. In addition, the brief assesses the potential impacts of these direct spending and tax programs on the affordability of college and the college-going rates of potential students.
Published: 05/16/07
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