WTHR Investigates Illegal Migrant Workers Taking Advantage of Additional Child Tax Credit-Truth!

WTHR Investigates Illegal Migrant Workers Taking Advantage of Additional Child Tax Credit-Truth!

Summary of eRumor:

This is a forward email with a link to a video on the WTHR News 13 website.   It is an investigative report that alleges Illegal Aliens are taking advantage of the additional child tax credit by claiming children living in other countries.
 

The Truth:

The report is a real news story and aired on WTHR in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on April 26, 2010.  Click here for news story.

The preport said that undocumented immigrant workers could obtain an individual taxpayer identification number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to file income taxes.   It went on to say that many illegal aliens who filed taxes have discovered a loophole called  the “Additional Child Tax Credit,” which grants a “credit of up to $1000 per child.”  

The IRS is aware of the problem and Russell George, the United States Department of Treasury’s Inspector General for Tax Administration told WTHR that “the magnitude of the problem has grown exponentially.”

WTRH reported in a follow up on April 27th the response from lawmakers. In 2011 a sum of $4.2 Billion went out in tax credits to illegal aliens claiming children who were residing in other countries.  Congressman Dan Burton (R – Ind)  told WTHR that he and “dozens of other House Republicans have co-sponsored a bill that would essentially authorize additional child tax credits only for US citizens. House Resolution 1956 would require tax filers to provide a valid social security number to receive an additional child tax credit.”  

The Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act  (H.R. 1956) was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 24, 2011 and is currently in committee.  If passed, the bill would require a social security number in order for any tax refunds to be collected. Click here for status of H.R. 1956.

updated 5/8/12