[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NOTIFYING TAXPAYERS REGARDING THEIR POSSIBLE ELIGIBILITY FOR EARNED 
                           INCOME TAX CREDIT

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                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2002

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 4632 to help more 
low income workers seek tax rebates under the Earned Income Tax Credit 
program.
  Under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provisions, a person at 
least 25 years old, earning $1 up to $10,709 may qualify for a 
refundable tax credit of $1 to $364 depending on income earned.
  A single parent, at least 25 years old, with one child, earning $1 to 
$28,280 may receive a refundable tax credit of $3 to $2,428 depending 
on income earned.
  A single parent, at least 25 years old, with two children, earning $1 
to $32,120 may receive a refundable tax credit of $2 to $4,008 
depending on income earned.
  In the year 2000, about 19 million low income families received 
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds. The total refunds paid out in 
2000 was $30 billion.
  28% of the families who received EITC had incomes below $10,000. The 
refund for a single parent with two children earning $10,000 was 
$4,008.
  In 1999 over 25% of the low income taxpayers who were eligible did 
not file for EITC.
  With a million single parents being forced off welfare to work, it is 
of great concern that many, if not most, are not aware of the refund 
that they could apply for. The vast majority of the welfare mothers who 
are forced to work earn less than $8,000 per year. The Administration 
and other defenders of the welfare to work program argue that in 
addition to the meager earnings, these poor families receive $4,000 
under EITC. The tragedy is that most don't.
  H.R. 4632 is offered to make sure that information is given to these 
poor families informing them that this refund is due them.
  If welfare to work is justified on the basis that low wages can be 
buffered by $4,000 in EITC refunds, then we need to make sure that 
these monies are received.

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