Brief: State policy progress on earned income tax credits in 2023

PRINT

A refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) of at least 10 percent of the federal credit is one of 12 evidence-based policies included in our 2023 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which details states’ progress toward adopting and implementing policies that effectively improve child and family wellbeing.

As of October 1, 2023, nearly half of states offer a refundable state EITC of at least 10 percent of the federal credit to eligible taxpayers. Next year, Montana will increase its refundable EITC from 3 percent to 10 percent of the federal credit because of legislation passed this year. The impact that state EITC policies can have on families varies, based in large part on the EITC value, refundability, and eligibility requirements.   

Just this year, 30 states introduced—and several successfully enacted—legislation to establish or expand a state EITC this year.  

Read the brief for more details on state progress.

The recently updated Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap provides insight into the core policy levers and further illustrates their interplay through vivid graphics, showcasing the variation in EITC policies across states.

Explore the Roadmap to gain a deeper understanding of the policy levers shaping state EITCs.

Related

State leaders can significantly increase the number of children eligible for child care subsidies across the country by expanding income eligibility thresholds. The level of income at which a family becomes initially eligible for child
Barriers to health care, high-quality health insurance, and parental leave work together to leave families and children vulnerable during the perinatal period. These barriers can shape life-long outcomes, particularly for children from historically marginalized groups.
The issue of inadequate child care in Middle Tennessee not only affects working families but also poses a critical barrier to economic growth and workforce diversity. A lack of available and affordable child care prevents