House Bill 1082, titled the Tax Relief for Working Families Act, would restore North Carolina’s earned income tax credit (EITC) for eligible taxpayers. The bill reenacts the state EITC provision that had previously expired, recodifies it in the tax code, and sets the credit at 20% of the federal earned income tax credit amount for qualifying individuals. It also preserves the existing rule that the credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a refund if the credit exceeds their state income tax liability.
The bill applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. In practical terms, it would reduce state income tax liability for low- and moderate-income working families who qualify for the federal EITC, with the stated purpose of helping families meet rising costs for housing, child care, food, health, and education expenses. Because the bill reenacts a previously sunset provision, it would change state law by bringing back a tax benefit that is not currently available under North Carolina law.
HB1082 would amend North Carolina’s income tax statutes by reenacting former G.S. 105-151.31 as new G.S. 105-153.12, thereby restoring a refundable state earned income tax credit tied to the federal EITC under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code. The bill would affect individual income taxpayers who qualify for the federal credit, especially working families with children, and would require the Department of Revenue to administer the credit and issue refunds for any excess credit beyond tax owed. It would take effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
The bill’s stated purpose and framing suggest generally favorable sentiment toward providing tax relief to working families, and the sponsor’s findings emphasize financial strain from rising costs and the benefits of the EITC for self-sufficiency and family stability. However, the available record shows no committee debate or recorded votes, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill text itself. The measure was simply referred to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee.
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials because there are no committee transcripts or votes. Based on the bill’s structure, likely areas of debate could include the fiscal cost of restoring a refundable tax credit, whether the credit should be targeted to low-income workers, and the policy choice to tie the state credit to the federal EITC. Any disagreement would likely center on tax revenue impacts versus the intended relief for working families.