麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie
Baker）二日表示，他的2016年預算案，包括在兩年內把所得稅抵免（EITC）由15%增加到30%，估計有四十萬名麻州居民可直接受益。
該提案將使得符合資格打工家庭的所得稅抵免額，增加到1874元，他們可花用的收入總額，將可增加到一億九千六百萬元。
查理貝克二日抵波士頓社區發展行動（ABCD），參觀波士頓內美國國稅局的十二個志工協助報稅站之一，和組織者，協助報稅志工，以及個別人士討論，所得稅抵免加倍，對低收入工薪家庭將有什麼影響。
查理貝克表示，目前麻州內約有四十萬個家庭符合資格，可因此而受益。日前出爐的一份調查估計，因為受益者都是在麻州居住，工作，生活，消費者，此舉將促使一億元資金迴轉活絡麻州經濟。
ABCD執行長朱江（John J. Drew ）表示，他們鼓掌支持州長加倍所得稅抵免額的提案，許多做二，三份工作，卻還每年賺不到24,250元的四口之家，將因此受益。
圖片說明：
麻州州長查理貝克（中）參觀ABCD志工協助報稅站，討論
所得稅抵免額度加倍影響。（圖由州長辦公室提供）
Governor Baker Highlights Proposal to Double EITC in Boston
Expansion would benefit 400,000 plus residents; increases relief by $196 million
BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today visited and toured one of Action for Boston Community Development’s (ABCD) 12 IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in the Greater Boston area to discuss with organizers, tax prep volunteers and individuals the benefits of doubling the earned income tax credit (EITC) would have on the budgets of low-income working families. Along with his Fiscal Year 2016 budget proposal, Governor Baker filed House Bill 62 expanding the EITC from 15% to 30% of the federal level over two years, directly impacting over 400,000 Massachusetts residents. The proposal would increase the EITC to $1,874 for eligible working families and increase disposable income by $196 million.
“Providing relief to Massachusetts’ working families through the earned income tax credit has proven to be one of the most historically effective programs for supporting low-income workers and spurring economic growth,” said Governor Baker. “Increasing reinvestment in our workers would directly benefit more than 400,000 individuals and their families across the Commonwealth who need an extra hand to make ends meet and support their families."
Governor Baker toured ABCD’s facility on the Boston Common where accountants and accounting students volunteer their time to provide free tax preparation services for low to moderate-income working families. Governor Baker met with ABCD leadership, a site volunteer and several individuals and families who would directly benefit from the EITC expansion.
“ABCD applauds Governor Baker’s action in filing legislation to double the Earned Income Tax Credit for poor working individuals and families in Massachusetts,” said John J. Drew, ABCD President/CEO. “Many of those who benefit from EITC work two or three jobs, but can’t get above the poverty level of $24,250 in annual earnings for a family of four. EITC makes a difference for hard-working residents who struggle to pay for rent, heat and food and helps narrow the ongoing, painful gap between rich and poor.”
About Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD):
ABCD has provided tax preparation services to low and moderate-income working individuals and families for more than 25 years. It is part of the Boston Tax Help Coalition and national Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Massachusetts. Last year ABCD’s EITC program served almost 5,000 families at sites in all of Boston neighborhoods, bringing more than $7.8 million into inner-city, low-income households. Along with tax preparation, ABCD also provides EITC customers with comprehensive financial counseling and financial literacy programs for youth and families.
GOVERNOR BAKER: There are 400,000 families in Massachusetts that qualify currently and that would benefit from doubling the size of the credit and there was a study that came out the other day that said it would put over $100,000,000 back into our economy because the beneficiaries of the credit are people who live here, work here, and spend here, and the thing I love the most about the program is the more you work the more you make. It’s one of the best programs we can use, and I’m all for, I would love to see the federal government decide to extend the credit.
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪近日繼續轄區拜會之旅，3月31日及4月1日先後抵佛蒙特州首府Montpelier，該州第1大城伯靈頓（Burlington）市，探訪副州長等政要，為加強該州與台灣之經貿、科技、教育及文化等各方面的交流合作奠定關係。
