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Making Single Mothers Work: Recent Tax and Welfare Policy and Its Effects

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  • Meyer, Bruce D.
  • Rosenbaum, Dan T.

Abstract

We describe the enormous changes in social and tax policy in recent years that have encouraged work by single mothers. We document the magnitude and timing of changes in federal and state income taxes, AFDC and Food Stamp benefits, Medicaid, and child care programs. We also describe how these changes differed across groups of states and different types of families. We then examine whether the changes in employment are consistent with a causal effect of these policies on employment, using multiple comparison groups and two datasets over a long time period. We find substantial evidence of large tax effects on employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Meyer, Bruce D. & Rosenbaum, Dan T., 2000. "Making Single Mothers Work: Recent Tax and Welfare Policy and Its Effects," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 53(4), pages 1027-1062, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ntj:journl:v:53:y:2000:i:4:p:1027-62
    DOI: 10.17310/ntj.2000.4S1.02
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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