Bill Text: HI HB1920 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1920 (Prior Session Legislation)

HI State Legislature page for HB1920

Introduced

Bill Title: Taxation; Earned Income Tax Credit

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Referred to FIN, referral sheet 2 [HB1920 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1920-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1920
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the federal earned income tax credit is the most efficient and effective program to reduce poverty. The program uses limited funds to effectively target those struggling the most � low-income and moderate-income wage earners and their families.

The earned income tax credit is a refundable tax credit that can only be claimed by people with earned income. The credit amount is determined by the filer's income and family size. A state earned income tax credit is set as a percentage of the federal credit, boosting its benefits. It is an affordable, targeted program that encourages work and strengthens businesses and the local economy. Because it is administered through the existing tax system, its administrative costs and inefficiencies are less than those of other government programs.

The legislature also finds that because the credit is targeted at families with children, it directs resources toward those most in need. In Hawaii, the federal earned income tax credit lifted eighteen thousand children out of poverty each year from 2011 to 2013. Over 127,000 children in Hawaii would benefit from increased financial stability if the state adopted the earned income tax credit. The credit could also stimulate our economy by helping working families keep more of their wages and thus increase consumer spending. Every dollar saved through the credit would generate an estimated $1.50 - $2.00 in local economic activity. It is further estimated that a state earned income tax credit of ten per cent would reduce 11,000 families' income tax liability to $0, help 309,060 people, and put close to $24 million into the state economy.

The legislature further finds that twenty�six other states and the District of Columbia have established state-funded earned income tax credit programs to combat poverty while boosting local economies. The legislature believes that Hawaii should invest in its future by joining those states that already utilize a state earned income tax credit program and boost the earnings of working families and businesses.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a state earned income tax credit.

SECTION 2. Chapter 235, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§235- Earned income tax credit. (a) Each individual taxpayer who:

(1) Files an individual income tax return for a taxable year; and

(2) Is not claimed or is not eligible to be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer for income tax purposes, may claim a refundable earned income tax credit. The tax credit, for the appropriate taxable year, shall be equal to ten per cent of the federal earned income tax credit allowed under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and reported as such on the individual's federal income tax return. If the tax credits claimed by a resident individual exceed the amount of income tax payment due from the resident individual, the excess of credit over payment due shall be refunded to the resident individual; provided that a tax credit properly claimed by a resident individual who has no income tax liability shall be paid to the resident individual; and provided further that no refund or payment on account of the tax credit allowed by this section shall be made for an amount less than $1.

(b) For a nonresident individual taxpayer, the tax credit shall equal the amount of the tax credit calculated in subsection (a) multiplied by the ratio of adjusted gross income attributed to this State to the entire adjusted gross income computed without regard to source in the State pursuant to section 235-5.

(c) To claim the tax credit allowed under this section, an individual taxpayer shall use the same filing status on the taxpayer's Hawaii income tax return as used on the taxpayer's federal income tax return for the taxable year.

(d) Any claim, including any amended claim, for tax credits under this section shall be filed on or before the end of the twelfth month following the close of the taxable year for which the tax credit may be claimed. Failure to comply with this subsection shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the tax credit.

(e) No credit shall be allowed under this section for any taxable year in the disallowance period. For purposes of this subsection, the disallowance period is:

(1) The period of ten taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was due to fraud; and

(2) The period of two taxable years after the most recent taxable year for which there was a final determination that the taxpayer's claim of credit under this section was due to the reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations to qualify for the tax credit, but not due to fraud.

(f) Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund who fails to comply with due diligence requirements imposed by the Secretary of the United States Treasury by regulations with respect to determining eligibility for, or the amount of, the credit allowable by section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code shall pay a penalty of $100 for each failure.

(g) The director of taxation:

(1) Shall prepare any forms necessary to claim a tax credit under this section;

(2) May require proof of the claim for the tax credit;

(3) Shall alert eligible taxpayers of the tax credit using appropriate and available means;

(4) Shall prepare an annual public report to the legislature, the governor, and the public containing the:

(A) Number of credits granted for the prior calendar year;

(B) Total amount of the credits granted; and

(5) May adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate this section."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act, upon its approval, shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Taxation; Earned Income Tax Credit

Description:

Establishes a state earned income tax credit.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.