A bill that intends to boost the state child tax credit to families with dependents and parents has been put forward by advocates. Who has stated an example of how the federal child tax credit had economically benefited households during the pandemic by decreasing the child poverty rate in Maine to 40% hence they propose this bill. However, Congress has not resumed the federal child tax credit which has affected the families negatively.
Executive director of Maine’s Children’s Alliance Stephanie Eglinton has commented on evidence of economic deterioration of households. The proposed bill is funded by Maureen “Mo” Terry, Maine State Representative, and removes the basic earning requirement for the current dependent tax credit exemption in Maine making it accessible to needy households with dependents. This bill also enhances the yearly credit to $350 per dependent. A family to be considered eligible for this present state child tax credit requires to have taxable earnings, while indigent households elude such conditions.
House Majority Leader Terry, has commented on how this child credit will benefit more households with low income, and that it does not make sense that the child tax credit is not accessible to families just because they earn less.
Mills Administration Opposes The Child Tax Credit Bill
Associate commissioner of tax policy of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Micheal Allen has commented on the Mill administration’s opposition to the child tax credit bill completely and as an example has stated, that by boosting the present dependant tax dispensation credit and classifying it for inflation can be a proponent for a probable income tax relief. The Mills administration has opposed the bill stating the technical difficulty and the state’s position on who is considered eligible as a dependent.
