Easley on tax plan for the poor

The N.C. Budget & Tax Center cast doubt Monday on Gov. Mike Easley's plan to wipe out or cut in half state income taxes for nearly 1.2 million of North Carolina's lowest-paid taxpayers. A report by the group states "the number of taxpayers who would benefit is less than half of what Easley has said. Only 66,000 taxpayers would see their state taxes eliminated, not the 545,000 taxpayers that Easley said would benefit from his proposal, the center said.

News and Observer
March 6, 2007
J. Andrew Curliss, Staff Writer

Group disputes Easley on tax plan for the poor
Governor stands behind his figures

A Raleigh nonprofit that focuses on tax issues cast doubt Monday on Gov. Mike Easley's plan to wipe out or cut in half state income taxes for nearly 1.2 million of North Carolina's lowest-paid taxpayers.

The N.C. Budget and Tax Center, which advocates for the poor, said in a report that the number of taxpayers who would benefit is less than half of what Easley has said.

Only 66,000 taxpayers would see their state taxes eliminated, not the 545,000 taxpayers that Easley said would benefit from his proposal, the center said.

Instead of halving taxes for 629,000 taxpayers, the center said, Easley's plan would provide that relief to about 429,000 taxpayers. Read more...