February 3, 2023
Virginia Families Can Now Claim an Improved EITC, and Policymakers Can Build on its Success
This tax season, qualifying families can claim more of the Virginia work credit that they earned when filing their tax returns, which will put hundreds of dollars into the pockets of Virginia families who need it most. Last legislative session, the state budget improved the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit by making it refundable at 15% of the federal credit. This was a policy victory over 15 years in the making, and one that made sure families with low incomes were not excluded from the tax conversation. It’s critical that qualifying families claim the improved EITC and that lawmakers continue to improve the credit in order to provide greater, direct support to Virginia families.
Impact of Virginia’s Current EITC Options
As families navigate rising costs of food, gas, and other essentials, policy choices that provide direct support will be critical to helping families make ends meet. Improving Virginia’s Earned Income Tax Credit last year will help do just that. That’s because qualifying families now have an option: claim a state EITC up to 20% of the federal credit, not to exceed any income tax owed, or claim a state EITC at 15% of the federal credit and receive a refund of the amount that exceeds any income tax owed. Prior to improving the state EITC, a married couple with two children and a household income of $30,000 would have a state EITC of $1,074 (20% of federal credit), but because the credit was non-refundable and their income tax liability was $384, they would miss out on $690. Today, by taking the option of a state EITC refundable at 15% of the federal credit, this same family would have a state EITC of $806, apply it toward their income tax liability of $384, and get the remaining $422 refunded to them.
This refund gives families the freedom to purchase what they and their children need most. Not only does the improved state EITC provide an income boost today, but it also improves outcomes tomorrow as refundable tax credits are linked with a range of long-term benefits, including better health and education outcomes. And it helps to flip Virginia’s upside-down tax code as families with low incomes pay more in taxes as a share of income compared to higher-income households.
Claiming the Newly Improved Benefit
Many households who are eligible for the state EITC may not be required to file taxes in Virginia and are at risk of missing out on the improved EITC. The filing threshold for single filers is $11,950, and $23,900 for joint filers. Even if a household is not required to file or does not owe income taxes in Virginia, they could qualify for the new 15% refundable EITC and should file a tax return. The Virginia Department of Taxation provides a list of resources that allow families who meet certain criteria, such as lower incomes, to file their taxes for free. These resources can be found at www.tax.virginia.gov/free-file.
A social media toolkit to raise awareness on claiming the improved credit, including graphics in multiple languages, is available through the Tax Fairness for Virginia Coalition. Please reach out to Rodrigo Soto (rodrigo@thecommonwealthinstitute.org) to access the toolkit.
Opportunities to Further Improve Virginia’s EITC
A survey released at the beginning of the year showed that voters’ #1 concern is the rising costs of essentials and making further improvements to the state EITC would be a direct response to this concern. This year, Del. Price proposed House Bill 1653 that would have allowed families to claim a refundable state EITC up to 20% of the federal credit, which would put another few hundred dollars in the pockets of families who need it most. The family of four with a household income of $30,000 would see a refund of $690 — $268 more than they would with a 15% refundable credit.
While HB 1653 did not advance in the House, a final budget could and should include further improvements to Virginia’s EITC. A budget amendment by Sen. Rouse has been proposed that would cover the cost of increasing Virginia’s state EITC refundability to 20%. Unlike other tax proposals being considered this legislative session, such as $500 million in corporate and business tax giveaways, making Virginia’s EITC refundable at 20% of the federal credit would only cost $36.5 million in general fund resources. It would also provide direct support to families rather than filtering benefits through corporations that may or may not pass them on to working people and make sure that, again, families with low incomes are included in tax conversations. The proposal to further increase the standard deduction, for instance, would leave out two-thirds of Virginia households who are earning less than $27,000.
The governor’s budget amendments forfeit significant resources to profitable businesses and corporations with another tax break, while doing little in the way of direct support for families and children, particularly families with low income. In the upcoming budget negotiations, Virginia lawmakers should prioritize families over corporations. Further strengthening Virginia’s Earned Income Tax Credit would provide targeted economic relief to help families who need it most, while protecting resources that could be invested in our communities.
Category:
Economic Opportunity
