Statement on the passage of the Maryland RELIEF Act

The CASH Campaign of Maryland and the Maryland Center on Economic Policy issued the following joint statement on the passage for the Maryland RELIEF Act this afternoon:

“The RELIEF Act that passed the General Assembly today includes a historic expansion of Maryland’s state Earned Income Tax Credit, creating greater economic security for over 400,000 Marylanders. The EITC is a proven anti-poverty tool and is linked to a wide range of benefits, including better health and higher levels of education that help people advance in their careers. This expansion greatly benefits both families with children as well as those without.

This expansion corrects a provision that penalizes low-income workers who are not claiming children by essentially taxing them further into poverty. The current credit provides these workers an average of only $74. This powerful increase will provide hundreds of dollars directly into the hands of workers who need it most. We call on Congress to follow Maryland’s lead and expand the federal credit for workers without dependents. 

We also applaud the commitment of Senate President Ferguson and House Speaker Jones to expand the EITC to reach the tens of thousands of low-income immigrant families who pay taxes, but are not currently eligible for the EITC. These workers pay over $100 million in taxes annually without being eligible for most tax credits or public assistance programs. Improving the economic security of all Marylanders is good for families, communities, and local businesses. We strongly urge the General Assembly to pass this legislation and provide this powerful tax credit to all low-income, immigrant taxpayers.”

###

Media Contact

Kali Schumitz
410-412-9105 ext. 701