Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is proposing doubling to $2,000 a federal child tax credit that is available to low- and middle-income families, along with other changes that would make it easier for low-income families to take advantage of the program, even if they don’t pay taxes.
The Associated Press reports that the proposal would be aimed at families of children ages 4 and younger. From the article:
Currently, the Child Tax Credit is $1,000 per child under 17. Clinton would increase it to $2,000 per child up until the age of 4. Clinton would also increase the amount that low-income families could get back in refunds under the program. Families with young children would see the most benefit. Clinton's campaign said the plan would cost between $150 billion and $200 billion and would be paid with higher taxes on the wealthy. As with the current Child Tax Credit, it would phase out for higher income families.
In contrast, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s child-care proposals are primarily focused on tax deductions for child-care costs. Tax deductions are worth more to higher-income families who pay income tax. Trump’s proposal also includes an expanded earned-income tax credit aimed at lower-income workers.
The Clinton plan comes at a time when Trump is seeing his poll numbers slide, after the Washington Post reported on an 11-year-old recording of Trump making lewd comments about women. Clinton campaign officials said that they are trying to break through the fallout generated by that story.
“When you’re running against [Mr. Trump] and he generates so much controversy and therefore headlines, it’s hard to break through on any one day. And that’s why we just have to keep at it,” Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri told the Wall Street Journal on Monday.