The Star-Ledger: How Much do N.J.’s Unauthorized Immigrants Pay in Taxes?
media mentionImmigrants living in New Jersey illegally pay about $613 million a year in state and local taxes and could pay much more under proposed immigration reforms, according to a new report.
The study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a non-partisan research group in Washington, D.C., analyzed the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants in all 50 states and calculated how much they are contributing to their states through sales, property and other taxes.
The issue of how much unauthorized immigrants pay in taxes has been hotly debated as President Obama has proposed additional reforms to allow some of those living in the country illegally to get work permits and a temporary reprieves from deportation.
“The numbers alone make a compelling case for reform,” said Matthew Gardner, the institute’s executive director. “This analysis shows that undocumented immigrants already are paying billions in taxes to state and local governments, and if they are allowed to work in the country legally, their state and local tax contributions would considerably increase.”