Fact Check: joe biden increased taxes for middle class and poor during his four years

Claim Analysis: "Joe Biden Increased Taxes for Middle Class and Poor During His Four Years"

1. Introduction

The claim that "Joe Biden increased taxes for middle class and poor during his four years" has been a point of contention in political discourse. Proponents of this assertion argue that Biden's tax policies have disproportionately affected lower and middle-income households. This analysis seeks to examine the validity of this claim through a review of available evidence, contrasting viewpoints, and the credibility of the sources cited.

2. What We Know

Several key points emerge from the analysis of Biden's tax policies:

• Child Tax Credit Expansion: The American Rescue Plan, enacted in March 2021, expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which has been credited with significantly reducing child poverty rates. According to the White House, this expansion helped drive child poverty to a historic low of 5.2% in 2021, benefiting many low- and middle-income families 12.

• Tax Policy Center Analysis: The Tax Policy Center (TPC) has reported that while Biden's proposals would raise taxes on high-income households, the impact on low- and middle-income households would be minimal. For example, it estimated that those in these income brackets would see an average tax increase of $100 or less 45. Furthermore, Biden pledged not to raise taxes on households earning less than $400,000 annually 5.

• Build Back Better Plan: The proposed Build Back Better plan aimed to increase taxes on corporations and the wealthy while providing tax relief to lower-income families. However, some analyses suggest that certain provisions could lead to tax increases for specific middle-income households, depending on the final structure of the legislation 48.

• American Progress Report: The Center for American Progress argues that Biden's tax proposals aim to correct inequities created by previous tax cuts, particularly those enacted under the Trump administration, which they claim disproportionately benefited higher-income individuals 6.

3. Analysis

The claim that Biden has increased taxes for the middle class and poor is nuanced and requires careful examination of the evidence:

• Source Credibility: The White House sources 12 provide a government perspective, which may carry an inherent bias in favor of the administration's policies. However, they are grounded in data that reflects significant poverty reduction. In contrast, the Tax Policy Center 458 is generally regarded as a reputable, non-partisan organization that provides objective analyses of tax policies.

• Conflicting Perspectives: Critics of Biden's tax policies, including opinion pieces from outlets like USA Today 10, argue that any tax increases, even if minimal, could still adversely affect the middle class. These sources often reflect a particular political bias, which may color their interpretation of the data.

• Methodological Concerns: The analyses from various sources rely on projections and assumptions about future economic conditions and taxpayer behavior. For instance, the TPC's estimates of tax impacts depend on the specific details of proposed legislation, which can change significantly during the legislative process. This uncertainty raises questions about the reliability of such forecasts.

• Additional Information Needed: A more comprehensive understanding of the tax burden on middle and low-income households would benefit from longitudinal studies examining tax liabilities before and after Biden's policies were implemented. Additionally, data on the net effects of tax credits and increases on disposable income would provide a clearer picture.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "Joe Biden increased taxes for middle class and poor during his four years" is partially true, as it reflects a complex reality rather than a straightforward assertion. Evidence indicates that while Biden's tax policies have primarily targeted high-income households for tax increases, there are provisions that could lead to tax increases for certain middle-income households, depending on the specifics of the legislation. The expansion of the Child Tax Credit and other relief measures have also provided significant benefits to low- and middle-income families, complicating the narrative of an overall tax increase.

However, the limitations of the available evidence must be acknowledged. The projections regarding tax impacts are based on assumptions that may not hold true as economic conditions evolve and as legislation is finalized. Additionally, the interpretation of tax policy effects can vary widely depending on the political perspective of the sources consulted.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information regarding tax policies and their implications, recognizing that the landscape is often shaped by ongoing political debates and economic changes.

5. Sources

1. The President's Budget Cuts Taxes for Working Families - White House: Link
2. The Anti-Poverty and Income-Boosting Impacts of the Enhanced CTC - White House: Link
3. Economic policy of the Joe Biden administration - Wikipedia: Link
4. Build Back Better 2.0 Still Raises Taxes For High Income - Tax Policy Center: Link
5. Fact-checking claims on Biden's tax proposal - Politifact: Link
6. Biden Tax Proposals Would Correct Inequities Created by Trump Tax Cuts - American Progress: Link
7. An Analysis of Joe Biden's Tax Proposals - American Enterprise Institute: Link
8. Analyses of Biden’s Tax Proposals - Tax Policy Center: Link
9. Here's how the tax policies proposed by Biden and Trump differ - PBS: Link
10. Biden's tax hikes could flip even a moderate - USA Today: Link