11-03-2025
Advocates look to expand tax credits for low-income immigrant families
BOSTON (WWLP) – It has been 50 years since the earned income tax credit was first passed, and advocates are celebrating by looking for ways to make the tax break more inclusive.
When you file your taxes, you use your social security number. If you don't have a social security number, like many legal and illegal immigrants, you file using your individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
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As of now, many tax breaks are not available to people using ITINs, or any member of their households. This includes the earned income tax credit that benefits low-income individuals, and especially those with children.
Advocates are working to expand the tax credit to include the primarily black and brown communities that file with ITINs.
'People are living here for many years, the conflation of this population with migrants or people who are here today, gone tomorrow, is completely erroneous,' said Angela Divaris, an attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services.
Complicating access to these credits, many eligible families do not make enough money to have a tax obligation, and aren't receiving the money back that they qualify for.
'So they could be missing out on thousands of dollars that are on the table that they just don't know that they are eligible for,' said Children's HealthWatch policy analyst Charlotte Bruce.
The group of advocates have a plan to raise awareness about the credits, ensuring all eligible families can participate.
Massachusetts looks to be the 11th state to expand their tax codes to include more immigrant community members.
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