Working families deserve permanent earned income tax refund

Hawaiʻi’s low-income and working-class families are still struggling to afford the cost of basic necessities like rent, groceries and transportation. This year, state lawmakers have the opportunity to reduce the tax burden for the workers who need it the most—giving them a much-needed lifeline amid rising costs and the continuing pandemic.

Jan. 28 is national Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, and a good time to reflect on how the state can boost tax refunds for workers with the lowest incomes.

Legislators should make the state tax refund for working families with low incomes permanent, and expand it so that those earning the lowest wages can access its full value. This would be a great first step toward reducing the tax burden on hardworking families. Smart policy choices like this would prioritize resources for families with low incomes to help them—and our economy—move beyond this pandemic.