State proposes tax credits to low-income, unmarried fathers

Newsday ^ | 17 Janaury 2005

[Lorianne]

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Low-income, non-custodial fathers living in New York state would be eligible for expanded tax credits under a proposal by Gov. George Pataki aimed at encouraging them to leave the welfare rolls and pay child support.

The initiative _ believed to be the first of its kind in the nation _ would broaden the state's earned income tax credit program available to low-income working parents with custody of their children _ most of whom are women.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Hell, why doesn't the govt' just confiscate our entire paychecks to give out to those deemed worthy.

[Onelifetogive]

The initiative _ believed to be the first of its kind in the nation _ would broaden the state's earned income tax credit program available to low-income working parents with custody of their children _ most of whom are women.

I had not thought about this before.....

The state give tax breaks to custodial women because of the expense of raising children, while making non-custodial men pay the costs...

[lilylangtree]

Well why not? Then these low income non-custodial daddys can go out and produce even more children. (Sarc)

[LauraleeBraswell]

""To be eligible, the parents must earn less than $11,490 annually and be up-to-date in their child support. ""

No one in NY earns less than 11,490 a year! This law is a joke.

[LauraleeBraswell]

My parents have actually considered getting legally divorced (while still really being husband and wife) for the tax breaks. We are taxed to death in NY.

[Antonello]

Speaking as someone who has been a noncustodial parent, I've always thought it unfair that the custodial parent gets to claim the entire deduction for the children. Since I was bearing the brunt of the costs of raising my children, I never could understand why the deduction wasn't prorated based on the percentage of financial support provided.

That said, this idea of an additional tax break instead of dividing up the existing one for dependents isn't the answer, IMO.

[Buckeye McFrog]

subsidize absentee fatherhood....way to go, Pataki!

[patriot_wes]

"under a proposal by Gov. George Pataki aimed at encouraging them to leave the welfare rolls and pay child support"

oh please, pretty please will you take care of your kid, please?....