Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has introduced legislation that aims to close a loophole that allows noncitizens to claim federal child tax credits. The Safeguarding American Workers' Benefits Act (S.3798) would standardize the eligibility requirements for both the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), two programs that currently use different criteria to determine who can claim the benefits.

Hyde-Smith's bill addresses the issue of noncitizens taking advantage of the child tax credits, which has been costing taxpayers billions of dollars each year. By requiring both parents and children to have valid Social Security numbers for employment purposes in order to qualify for the EITC and CTC, the bill aims to ensure that the credits are directed to eligible, hardworking individuals.

In a statement, Hyde-Smith emphasized the need to address the unsustainable national debt and the taxpayer-funded benefits that are being claimed by illegal immigrants. She stated, "The reforms outlined in the Safeguarding American Workers' Benefits Act would save taxpayers billions of dollars and restore fairness to our tax system by ensuring these credits are directed to eligible, hardworking individuals."

The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that enacting the measure proposed in S.3798 would save taxpayers approximately $24.5 billion over the next 10 years. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses varying standards to determine eligibility for the benefits.

Hyde-Smith's bill seeks to ensure that the EITC and CTC credits are only accessible to U.S. citizens and individuals authorized to work in the country. By closing the loophole that allows noncitizens to claim these credits unfairly, the legislation aims to bring fairness back into the tax system and alleviate the burden on taxpayers.

Hyde-Smith concluded, "This fiscally-responsible legislation is intended to ensure the EITC and CTC credits go to eligible, hardworking families. Only U.S. citizens and persons authorized to work in our country should have access to these credits."

The Safeguarding American Workers' Benefits Act is a significant step towards addressing the issue of noncitizens claiming federal child tax credits and saving taxpayers billions of dollars in the process. With the proposed legislation, Hyde-Smith aims to restore fairness to the tax system and ensure that these credits are directed to those who truly deserve them.