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Real-Time Poverty, Material Well-Being, and the Child Tax Credit

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  • Jeehoon Han
  • Bruce D. Meyer
  • James X. Sullivan

Abstract

Two timely poverty measures were developed to monitor economic conditions in the pandemic. One uses reports to a global income question on the Current Population Survey (CPS). A second uses the CPS to impute poverty based on demographic and employment variables. We evaluate the measures in the context of recent changes to the Child Tax Credit (CTC), arguing that the reports are preferable to imputations. Claims that child poverty was sharply lower when Advance CTC payments were made are overstated. The best evidence suggests poverty changed little during that period, apparently partly due to an employment decline among low-skilled workers with children.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeehoon Han & Bruce D. Meyer & James X. Sullivan, 2022. "Real-Time Poverty, Material Well-Being, and the Child Tax Credit," National Tax Journal, University of Chicago Press, vol. 75(4), pages 817-846.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:nattax:doi:10.1086/722137
    DOI: 10.1086/722137
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    Cited by:

    1. Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach & Michael R. Strain, 2023. "Employment and Labor Supply Responses to the Child Tax Credit Expansion: Theory and Evidence," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 710(1), pages 141-156, November.
    2. Dodini, Samuel & Larrimore, Jeff & Tranfaglia, Anna, 2024. "Financial repercussions of SNAP work requirements," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C42 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Survey Methods
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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