The Earned Income Tax Credit: A Study of Eligible Participants vs. Non-participants

Authors

Richard K. Caputo, Yeshiva University, Wilf Campus

Keywords

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), poverty, social policy, tax policy, welfare reform

Abstract

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this study (N = 1,504) showed that about half the EITC eligible tax filers in 2001 did not file EITC tax returns and that differences between EITC tax filers and non-EITC tax filers varied by birth place, Food Stamp program participation, marital status, race, residence, sex, socioeconomic history, and worker classification. Findings suggested that the EITC is well targeted in the sense that economically marginalized groups are likely to participate and that increased outreach efforts are also needed to ensure greater participation among tax filers eligible for the EITC but who are less likely to claim it, especially self-employed persons and those residing in the Northeast.

Recommended Citation

Caputo, Richard K. (2006) "The Earned Income Tax Credit: A Study of Eligible Participants vs. Non-participants," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 33: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3133
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol33/iss1/2