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HB 182

RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 17 co-sponsors

HB 182 modifies Hawaii's Earned Income Tax Credit program for low-income workers, though specific provisions remain unclear as the bill carried over without passage in 2025.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 182

Legislative bill overview

HB 182 proposes modifications to Hawaii's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable tax credit designed to reduce the tax burden on low- to moderate-income working individuals and families. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and referred to the Economic and Community Development (ECD) and Finance (FIN) committees but was carried over to the 2026 legislative session without passage.

Why is this important

The EITC is one of the largest anti-poverty programs in the United States, directly affecting hundreds of thousands of working Hawaiians. Changes to Hawaii's EITC structure—whether expanding eligibility, increasing credit amounts, or adjusting income thresholds—have material consequences for household budgets, workforce participation incentives, and state tax revenue. Given Hawaii's high cost of living, modifications to this credit can meaningfully impact economic security for working-class residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Expanding or modifying the EITC increases state revenue requirements; policymakers must balance anti-poverty goals against budget constraints and competing spending priorities
  • Program scope and eligibility: Disagreement may exist over who qualifies (age thresholds, citizenship status, dependent requirements) and whether expansions target those most in need
  • Economic trade-offs: Questions about whether expanded credits effectively reduce poverty versus potentially creating work disincentives or inflation effects in a high-cost-of-living state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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