National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow discusses options the Trump administration is considering for giving average Americans a financial break.
The Trump administration has begun reviewing ways to carry out its goal of cutting taxes for the middle class.
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While lowering the payroll tax isn’t high on the White House’s list, adjusting the earned income tax credit for low to moderate earners is something that’s being examined, Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told FOX Business’ Stuart Varney.
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS CONFIRM ELECTION YEAR STIMULUS PLAN FOCUSING ON TAX CUTS
“We want to aim this at even faster economic growth going out in the president’s second term,” Kudlow said.
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1 percent pace in the third quarter of 2019, the most recent period for which data was available. Its growth reached a Trump-era peak of 4.2 percent in the second quarter of 2018, following the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered the top corporate rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and reduced personal income taxes for many Americans.
Kudlow said the administration wants to keep the child tax credit, which was doubled to $2,000 in 2018, and that it’s considering making “some things permanent” on both the individual side and the corporate side that would have expired under the 2017 tax overhaul. Another option is allowing for immediate expensing, which Kudlow called a “very powerful tonic” for business investment.
A tax-cut proposal may be part of the White House budget that is submitted in February, three people familiar with the matter told FOX Business. Passing major legislation such as tax-code changes is typically difficult in a presidential election year, however, especially one roiled by impeachment.
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“Reelect President Trump and you’ll get lower tax rates and lower tax burdens,” Kudlow said.
