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The US earned income tax credit, its effects, and possible reforms

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  • Meyer, Bruce D.

    (Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago)

Abstract

In this paper, I first summarize how the US Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) operates and describe the characteristics of recipients. I then discuss empirical work on the effects of the EITC on poverty and income distribution, and its effects on labor supply. Next, I discuss a few policy concerns about the EITC: possible negative effects on hours of work and marriage, and problems of compliance with the tax system. I then briefly discuss some possible reforms to the structure of the current EITC.

Suggested Citation

  • Meyer, Bruce D., 2008. "The US earned income tax credit, its effects, and possible reforms," Working Paper Series 2008:14, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:ifauwp:2008_014
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    File URL: http://www.ifau.se/upload/pdf/se/2008/wp08-14.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Boone, Jan & Bovenberg, Lans, 2006. "Optimal welfare and in-work benefits with search unemployment and observable abilities," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 126(1), pages 165-193, January.
    2. Christopher A. Pissarides, 2000. "Equilibrium Unemployment Theory, 2nd Edition," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262161877, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Udaya R. Wagle, 2012. "The Food Stamps Program and Economic Security Among Low‐Income Families, Part I," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(4), pages 223-238, December.
    2. Denton R. Vaughan & Barbara A. Haley & Aref N. Dajani, 2021. "Ten years later: Self‐sufficiency of welfare mothers before the Great Recession," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(2), pages 184-223, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Welfare reform; Earned income tax credit; EITC; Earnings subsidies; Tax credits; Poverty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • 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
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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