Less than a year ago, Chair Smith worked with Sen Wyden to promote investing in kids by expanding the #ChildTaxCredit for low-income families. finance.senate.gov/chairmans-ne... Where has that support gone? Today, Ways & Means wants to increase the #CTC for everyone _but_ these families.

Ways & Means leg text released late last week suggests the #ChildTaxCredit might be increased to $2,500. As explained previously, increasing the max credit won't help low-income families with children who are being hammered by higher costs of living. #CTC taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/17-mi...

#DirectFile provides a free filing option - direct with the IRS. It's a program I'm interested in, along with 73% of tax filers. My @urbaninstitute.bsky.social colleagues explore new survey data on interest in Direct File. taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...

@cbppsu.bsky.social shows how the 17 million children who will not receive the full CTC because their parents don't earn enough are distributed by state, race, and ethnicity. www.cbpp.org/blog/policym...

Links include @cadystanton.bsky.social @taxnotes.bsky.social @richardrubindc.bsky.social @wsj.com @taxtweet.bsky.social @financialtimes.com @nytimes.com @politico.com @apnews.com @bloombergtax.com @punchbowlnews.bsky.social @elainemaag.bsky.social and more!

Direct File, the IRS's free, online tax preparation tool available in 25 states, helps people claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/irss-...

The IRS #DirectFile program provides a free and fair way to file taxes for many. It gets high marks from users and its expansion should continue. This would improve filing options available to taxpayers. It's a great example of how government can work for people. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/y...

FYI @margothollick.bsky.social makes the coolest charts. The analysis of how the benefits of expiring TCJA provisions break down? Also cool! tpc.io/3BrvZ8f

What? Some members of Congress want to end #DirectFile after a successful pilot year? Consumers liked it! And it's set to roll out add'l capabilities to more people. thehill.com/business/470...

I'm back at @urbaninstitute.bsky.social and Tax Policy Center after being on detail to the US Treasury for a year. We're looking at 17 million children not getting the full CTC next year because their income/earnings are too low. We can do better. taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/17-mi...

Great senior opportunity in the Income and Benefits Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Let’s work together! www.linkedin.com/mwlite/jobs/...