Keith Denning

As we approach the weekend, let’s take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His leadership led to the success of the civil rights movement. His actions played a pivotal role in achieving strides toward racial equality.

Dr. King continues to inspire and affect racial progress today. His work paved the way for positive change, fostering a society that values justice, equality, and human rights.

This weekend serves as an opportunity for all of us to commemorate Dr. King’s legacy. We can recommit ourselves to unity and justice while contributing to the ongoing pursuit of civil rights.

You are invited to join the Wilton community on Monday to gather and reflect on how far we have come in our inclusive society. Organizers will also discuss what else we can do collectively to improve racial equality in Dr. King's honor. The event will be held at the Wilton YMCA Main Lobby from 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. 

Reserving a spot is not required, but you can register here for the event.

As a result of fiscal responsibility and bipartisanship in 2023, I am pleased to announce that significant relief is on the way for many Connecticut taxpayers in 2024!

Three tax relief measures went into effect on January 1, including the largest income tax cut in state history, an increase in a tax credit aimed at the lowest-income workers, and an expansion of exemptions on certain pension and annuity earnings that will benefit the senior population.

Here's a closer look at the tax cuts, who specifically benefits, and how:

One million filers to benefit from income tax cuts:

The changes enacted in 2024 will see a decrease in the two lowest rates:

• The 3% rate on the first $10,000 earned by single filers and the first $20,000 by joint filers will drop to 2%.
• The 5% rate on the next $40,000 earned by single filers and the next $80,000 by joint filers will drop to 4.5%.

The relief targets middle-class tax filers and is capped at $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. This is the first time that rates have been reduced in the state since the mid-1990s and it represents the largest income tax cut enacted in state history.

Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income workers becomes one of the largest in the U.S. 

The EITC in Connecticut is increasing from 30.5% to 40% of the federal EITC and will provide an additional $44.6 million in state tax credits to the approximately 211,000 low-income filers who receive the credit. More than 95% of filers who receive this credit are families with children.

The Connecticut EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for the lowest income working individuals and families that mirrors the federal EITC.

Expanding certain deductions for IRA distributions and pension and annuity earnings for seniors

The state budget eliminates the retirement income tax cliff by adding a phase-out for allowable pension annuity and IRA distribution deductions against the personal income tax.

Approximately 200,000 filers benefit from the currently enacted retiree exemption limits. It is estimated that with these changes, an additional 100,000 filers could benefit from the elimination of the retirement cliff via the exemption phase-out.