July 11, 2013

MSN Money: Legalized immigrants could add $2 billion in taxes

media mention

(Original Post)

A nonpartisan study shows that granting them such status would allow them to pay a great deal more.
By Jason Notte
Undocumented immigrants are robbing taxpayers, you say? Well, you could get $2 billion of that back each year if those same immigrants were allowed to work here legally.
A study conducted by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a nonpartisan research organization, says the country’s 11.2 million undocumented immigrants already collectively contributed $10.6 billion to states and localities in 2010 through sales and excise taxes, as well as through property and income taxes. 
That number could swell to $12.6 billion if undocumented immigrants were allowed to work legally, pay more in state income taxes and kick in their full share to federal, state and local tax systems.
The immigration reform legislation Congress is now considering would give many unauthorized U.S. workers the legal right to work. ITEP’s analysis assumes that legalization would allow those workers to bargain with employers, increase their income and, in turn, boost their tax contributions.
The study piggybacks on the findings of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimates that the current immigration legislation would decrease the federal deficit by $197 billion and generate more than $450 billion in additional federal revenue over the next decade, if passed. 
The Center for American Progress also indicates that immigration reform could add more than 200,000 new jobs and $1.4 trillion to the overall economy as immigrants use their income to buy goods and pay taxes.
So, where do U.S. taxpayers stand on giving undocumented workers legal status? According to the Pew Research Institute, their resounding answer is “Sure, now fork it over.” A full 75% of those surveyed told Pew they agree that it would be “better for the economy for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and become legal workers.” That includes 70% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats.
That said, there’s still a little trepidation about the effects of that legalization. Little more than 50% of surveyed taxpayers said granting immigrants legal status would take jobs from U.S. citizens, while 61% said it would be a drain on government services. 
Those folks are still outnumbered, however, by the 77% who felt deportation is unrealistic and the 75% who believed most undocumented workers are hard-working and deserve a chance to stay in America and improve their lives.

A nonpartisan study shows that granting them such status would allow them to pay a great deal more.

By Jason Notte

Undocumented immigrants are robbing taxpayers, you say? Well, you could get $2 billion of that back each year if those same immigrants were allowed to work here legally.

A study conducted by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a nonpartisan research organization, says the country’s 11.2 million undocumented immigrants already collectively contributed $10.6 billion to states and localities in 2010 through sales and excise taxes, as well as through property and income taxes. 

That number could swell to $12.6 billion if undocumented immigrants were allowed to work legally, pay more in state income taxes and kick in their full share to federal, state and local tax systems.

The immigration reform legislation Congress is now considering would give many unauthorized U.S. workers the legal right to work. ITEP’s analysis assumes that legalization would allow those workers to bargain with employers, increase their income and, in turn, boost their tax contributions.

The study piggybacks on the findings of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimates that the current immigration legislation would decrease the federal deficit by $197 billion and generate more than $450 billion in additional federal revenue over the next decade, if passed. 

The Center for American Progress also indicates that immigration reform could add more than 200,000 new jobs and $1.4 trillion to the overall economy as immigrants use their income to buy goods and pay taxes.

So, where do U.S. taxpayers stand on giving undocumented workers legal status? According to the Pew Research Institute, their resounding answer is “Sure, now fork it over.” A full 75% of those surveyed told Pew they agree that it would be “better for the economy for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and become legal workers.” That includes 70% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats.

That said, there’s still a little trepidation about the effects of that legalization. Little more than 50% of surveyed taxpayers said granting immigrants legal status would take jobs from U.S. citizens, while 61% said it would be a drain on government services. 

Those folks are still outnumbered, however, by the 77% who felt deportation is unrealistic and the 75% who believed most undocumented workers are hard-working and deserve a chance to stay in America and improve their lives.

 

 


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