Designating an unborn child as a dependent for income tax purposes and increasing the income tax exemption for a dependent. (FE)
Impact
The impact of SB344 on state laws primarily revolves around amendments to the statutes related to income tax exemptions. This bill restricts individuals from claiming the exemption for an unborn child unless they provide a specific attestation confirming a fetal heartbeat, effectively linking the designation of a dependent to a medical assertion. The bill further outlines that claims for exemptions cannot be made for pregnancies that end in abortion, thus intertwining tax benefits with complex issues surrounding reproductive rights. This legal recognition of unborn children as dependents is significant, as it may influence various aspects of social services, healthcare policies, and educational funding based on dependent status.
Summary
Senate Bill 344 aims to modify the income tax exemption rules in Wisconsin by designating unborn children as dependents for tax purposes. This change allows taxpayers to claim an income tax exemption for unborn children beginning in the taxable year when a fetal heartbeat is detected by a qualified ultrasound technician. This designation aims to build a legal framework that recognizes unborn children as dependents similar to other dependents already recognized under current tax law. Additionally, the bill increases the income tax exemption amount for other dependents from $700 to $1,000.
Contention
Debate surrounding SB344 has been intense, as proponents argue that the bill fosters a positive legal and moral recognition of unborn life, while opponents express concerns over the implications for women's reproductive rights and healthcare decisions. Critics contend that failing to allow people to claim exemptions after abortions may unfairly penalize individuals and could further complicate issues related to taxation and personal choice in reproductive health. Hence, while the bill seeks to expand tax benefits, it also raises ethical and legal questions about the status of unborn children and the rights of expectant mothers in the state.
To Provide For An Income Tax Credit For An Unborn Child; And To Provide That The "dependent" Includes An Unborn Child For Purposes Of The Personal Income Tax Credit.