IMMIGRANT TAX PAYERS - Are you a Tax-payer? For most of us it’s something of a source of American pride. But contrary to common belief, millions of undocumented immigrants pay income taxes too. And in the state of Texas, recent estimates show the IRS gets 1.9 billion dollars in Federal Income Taxes from its undocumented population. In this report, Elizabeth Trovall of Texas Public Media explores how these undocumented immigrants are paying their share.
Cristina Cave shows me around one of eleven BakerRipley Tax Centers.
The center helps low-income families file taxes - including undocumented immigrants. “For Uncle Sam your migratory status doesn’t matter. If you’re earning money, you have to pay taxes.” Cave says families pay using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number – or ITIN – issued by the IRS. BakerRipley has helped some 500
families renew or apply for their ITIN. Cave says filing income tax is crucial for people applying for legal status. “Because it’s the best sign of how long they’ve been here in the country and that they want to be good citizens.”
In Houston, I’m Elizabeth Trovall.
