Improving the Refundable Child Tax Credit: An Important Step Toward Reducing Child Poverty

Publication Date: May 2008

Publisher: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Aviva Aron-Dine

Research Area: Banking and finance

Keywords: Economic projections; Federal budget; Tax code; Economic inequality

Type: Report

Abstract:

Because of their potential impact in reducing child poverty and hardship, proposals to improve the refundable Child Tax Credit have garnered significant bipartisan support.  In the Senate, Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) have introduced legislation that would begin to address key flaws in the credit's structure.  In the House, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel’s tax reform proposal would make even larger improvements, as would legislation introduced by Representatives Christopher Carney (D-PA) and Todd Platts (R-PA).