On Wednesday May 13, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee voted to approve tax proposals in the congressional reconciliation bill. One proposed change would deny the Child Tax Credit to children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents if either parent claiming them on their tax return lacks a Social Security Number — even if the child is fully eligible under current law.
In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) issues the following statement.
Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:
“The House plan to cut off the Child Tax Credit based on a parent’s immigration status is a direct attack on New Jersey families and children. More than 180,000 New Jersey children — 1 in 11 — would lose this critical support, even if they are U.S.-born citizens and their parents are lawful residents.
“This plan doesn’t just punish kids, it undermines one of the country’s most effective tools to reduce child poverty and make life more affordable for families. Denying help to children to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy is cruel, unjust, and economically short-sighted. Congress must reject this proposal.”
For more information on how Congress could improve the current reconciliation bill and help more working-class families, see the Tax Policy Center’s analysis here.
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