125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 849 LR 149(17)
An Act To Provide Tax Relief for Maine's Citizens by Reducing Income Taxes
Fiscal Note for House Amendment "   " to Committee Amendment "C"
Sponsor: Rep. Kumiega, III of Deer Isle
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential future biennium revenue increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The amendment changes the objective of the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents from gradually reducing the tax rates to 4% to funding the following initiatives (in order): increase the earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal credit to 50% of the federal credit and make the credit refundable, proportionately increase individual income tax bracket threshholds until they are 20% higher than the brackets in effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and to gradually reduce the highest income tax rate from 7.95% to 6.5%.  Based on currently budgeted revenue, no transfers of General Fund revenue in excess of the appropriation limitation are expected through the end of fiscal year 2014-15.  Since the funding for the changes is non-recurring and the tax changes permanent, it is possible that the bill could result in significantly reduced General Fund revenues for all years following their implementation.  The potential future revenue loss under this amendment is expected to be less than under the committee amendment. Therefore, the impact of this amendment is higher revenues in future biennia.