Major Tax Benefits This Year & UConn Victory Parade

April 9, 2024

Tax Day is just around the corner, and some lower-and middle-income earners are eligible for major savings. Please look below to learn how much you could save this year thanks to legislation I helped pass in 2023.

Today, let us take a moment to recognize those who endured capture for our freedom. As a former Marine, it is incredibly important to remember our former prisoners of war.

Would you like to read new books, explore amazing libraries, and potentially win a $200 gift card? Well, you can take advantage of the Passports to Connecticut Libraries campaign, which is under way! You can find the entire list of participating libraries below including locations in Hartford and West Hartford.

These are the sections in today's email:

  • Major Tax Benefits This Year
  • Recognizing Our Prisoners of War
  • UConn Victory Parade in Hartford
  • Passports to Connecticut Libraries
 
Major Tax Benefits This Year
Low to middle-income workers in Hartford and West Hartford have some major tax savings to look forward to when they file their personal income tax returns. This year, the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) increased to 40% compared to 30.5% in 2023. This means that lower-income filers will receive several hundred dollars in additional tax credits.
 

The Connecticut EITC is based on the amount of the federal EITC. It is available to those earning less than:

  • $56,838 ($63,698 married filing jointly) with 3 or more qualifying children
  • $52,918 ($59,478 married filing jointly) with 2 qualifying children
  • $46,560 ($53,120 married filing jointly) with 1 qualifying child
  • $17,640 ($24,210 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

It is estimated that approximately 211,000 households in Connecticut are eligible. 

This benefit comes in addition to the income tax cut for middle-income households earning less than $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. Those cuts, which went into effect on January 1, 2024, reduced the two lowest rates of the state’s progressive tax structure by:

  • Decreasing the rate on the first $10,000 earned by single filers and the first $20,000 by joint filers from 3% to 2%; and
  • Decreasing the rate on the next $40,000 earned by single filers and the next $80,000 by joint filers from 5% to 4.5%
Click Here To Learn More
 
Recognizing Our Prisoners of War
Today, we honor the courage and resilience of our nation's heroes on National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. Let's pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of those who endured captivity and sacrifice for our freedom. Your bravery inspires us all.
 
UConn Victory Parade in Hartford
There will be a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Saturday, April 13 to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team for winning the 2024 NCAA National Championship!
The parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. at the State Capitol. It will proceed on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right onto Jewell Street, turn left onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.
 
The rally will begin around 11:30 A.M. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center, where the players, coaches, and other guests will speak to the fans!
Click Here To Learn More
 
Passports to Connecticut Libraries
Stop by your local library for an awesome campaign called Passport to Connecticut Libraries, which encourages everyone to read! Begin your journey by picking up a library passport at one of 150 participating libraries. Make sure to get it stamped before visiting other libraries and doing the same thing there. Each participant will receive a small gift at each new library.

There are several locations where you can grab your passport in and around the 6th district:

  • Hartford Public Library, Ropkins Branch at 1750 Main Street
  • Hartford Public Library, Camp Field Branch at 30 Campfield Avenue
  • Hartford Public Library, Dwight Branch at 7 New Park Avenue
  • Faxon Library at 1073 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford
  • Noah Webster Library at 20 South Main Street in West Hartford
  • Bishops Corner Library at 15 Starkel Road in West Hartford

CLICK HERE for a full list of participating libraries.

The campaign runs through Tuesday, April 30. The Connecticut Library Association will offer two adults and two children a $200 Visa gift card.