$250

The Internal Revenue Service estimates that the average taxpayer spends 13 hours and $250 each year to prepare and file their taxes. That represents billions of dollars paid annually by working families simply to file tax returns and an obligation too large for others who miss out on benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that have proven successful at lifting households out of poverty.

OpenSky Policy Institute has joined with Code for America and groups across the country in urging support for a free, IRS-run tax filing system that prioritizes the needs of low-income filers. A pilot Direct File tool is expected to debut next year.

Read commentary on benefits of Direct File

6

After six years on the books, a private school voucher program similar to one passed by Nebraska lawmakers this year is set to end in Illinois, where lawmakers chose to let the tax credits expire. The Illinois program directed $75 million in potential tax dollars to private schools. Vouchers in Nebraska could grow to cost $100 million annually as outlined in LB 753.

Support Our Schools Nebraska, a coalition of public school supporters, is working to gather 90,000 signatures in 90 days to allow voters to decide on the voucher program.

More on vouchers in Nebraska and how voters can weigh in

Read commentary on Illinois program from Chicago Sun-Times

$849 million

A new 7% capital gains tax on the sale of stocks and bonds over $250,000 annually could generate $849 million for child care and early learning programs and school construction in Washington state this year. That estimate reflects capital gains booked by 3,200 people – so-called one-tenth percenters – in 2022.

Contrast that with tax cuts in LB 754 that direct 28% of the benefits to the 1% of Nebraska taxpayers with incomes of $603,000 or more a year.

42%

The share of American children who were enrolled in preschool in 2021 dropped to its lowest rate since the Census began collecting data in 2005. Just 42% of children aged 3-6 were enrolled in preschool, with stark declines among Black and Asian American children. While the pandemic contributed to the decline, enrollment remains subdued by costs that are comparable to rates for in-state college tuition and a shortage of child care workers, who as a group are paid less than 98% of all professions.

Child care tax credits passed by the Nebraska Legislature as part of LB 754 this year were capped with at most 15,000 kids eligible for benefits.

Read the latest Kids Count report in Nebraska

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Maine is set to become the 13th state to implement mandatory paid leave for workers who need time off to care for family members or themselves. Maine’s program will be funded in part by a payroll tax split evenly between workers and employers.

In Nebraska, a coalition led by Nebraska Appleseed is planning an initiative petition to ask voters in 2024 to approve a measure that would require small businesses to provide at least five sick days per year and others at least days per year.

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (6/30/23)

$250

6

$849 million

42%

13