Tell us about Tax Justice is Gender Justice, the new series of reports on achieving gender and racial equity by harnessing the power of the U.S. Tax Code. How does this work fit into the National Women’s Law Center’s mission? Taxes play a fundamental and underappreciated role in women’s economic security. The tax code funds our…
In October, federal courts blocked the Trump Administration’s “public charge” regulation from taking effect. The injunction keeps current rules for applicants seeking permanent residency or a non-immigrant visa in effect while litigation continues. The chilling effect of the rule’s threat, however, is a continuing concern, and fear of the repercussions of applying for public benefits…
Last Spring, Propublica reported that the IRS audits low-income taxpayers at approximately the same rate as it audits the wealthiest 1 percent of taxpayers. A follow-up article notes that the agency cites inadequate funding as the barrier to enacting changes. According to the article, steady cuts have left the IRS’ current enforcement budget 25 percent…
Looking for examples of effective strategies and lessons learned from recent state EITC expansion campaigns? Check out Tax Credits for Workers and Their Families’ (TCWF) newest set of case studies spotlighting successful campaigns to expand state EITCs in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oregon. See also: TCWF: A 2019 Guide to Effective EITC Advocacy.
The Tax Code, Equity, and Access to Affordable Housing: A Conversation for Funders October 24th, 2019 The tax code is one of the most powerful tools the federal government has to provide families with economic security and wealth-building opportunities as well as to develop affordable housing and encourage community economic development. Yet we know…
Over the last several years, the EITC Funders Network has partnered with Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) on issues at the intersection of tax credit access, immigration status, and racial and ethnic equity. Although the EITC is no longer on the list of benefits and services under the recently issued public charge rule,…
Tax provisions and the ways these provisions are enforced and administered are steeped in a context of historical racism and ongoing prejudice and discrimination. In a recently released report, The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) outlines the ways the federal tax code impacts racial disparities and explains how the tax-cut law enacted in…
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and Children’s HealthWatch recently published a health impact assessment to identify the potential health outcomes of creating a state-level EITC in Arkansas. The report states that a refundable EITC “may be one of the most effective ways to address the poor health outcomes experiences by Arkansans.” The authors recommend…
Last week, following the House’s passage of the legislation in April, the Senate passed the Taxpayer First Act of 2019, which includes language to permanently authorize the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program and to allow up to $30 million in funding. After 50 years in practice, VITA will be codified, offering providers and the…
Tell us about The Piton’s Foundation strategy and how Get Ahead Colorado and Tax Help Colorado fit into your work of supporting families and driving social change for low-income communities. For more than 40 years, The Piton Foundation, which is part of Gary Community Investments, has been investing in the Colorado community with a specific…