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Mass. coalition relaunches push to raise earned income tax credit

Originally posted on MassLive.

As tax reforms spring back into the conversation on Beacon Hill, a coalition of 30 organizations pitched its priorities that leaders said would buoy low- and moderate-income families.

The Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition’s platform includes increasing the earned income tax credit (EITC) from 30 percent to 50 percent of the federal credit, and following the Healey administration’s plan to combine two existing dependent tax credits into a single child and family benefit of at least $600 per dependent.

“This year, Massachusetts has the opportunity to lead the nation in promoting equitable tax policies that invest in the wellbeing of families and the health of our communities,” said Allison Bovell-Ammon of Children’s Health Watch.

The coalition held a “relaunch” event at the State House at the same hour that Speaker Ronald Mariano was announcing to business leaders at a hotel across town that a comprehensive House tax relief plan would “soon” emerge.

Supporters emphasized the timeliness of their push, which also came a couple days after the Revenue Committee heard testimony on Gov. Maura Healey’s tax relief proposal and less than a month ahead of the House budget debate.