By Dedrick Asante-Muhammad and LaToya Parker, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
As the deadline to file taxes approaches, Americans are reminded of the complexities within our tax code and the profound implications it holds for our nation’s future. Recently, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, hosted a wealth agenda convening featuring a panel titled Reimagining Tax Policy for Black Economic Justice. Experts from the NYU Tax Law Center, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Color of Change, and Liberation in a Generation provided insights on how the current tax debate relates to racial economic inequality and the persistent racial wealth divide.
Since President Donald Trump’s re-election, discussions have emerged on the potential extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was enacted under his first presidency in 2017. An extension, however, could perpetuate or deepen the racial wealth divide, particularly for African American communities.
Although African Americans have made some economic advancements, the wealth disparity between Black and white households remains stark. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, the median wealth of white, non-Hispanic households was $250,400, while Black households were only $24,520 — approximately one-tenth of their white counterparts. This gap is not merely a statistical anomaly but a reflection of historical injustices and systemic barriers that have long limited wealth accumulation opportunities for African Americans.
Tax policy has long played a pivotal role in either mitigating or widening economic disparities. The TCJA was promoted as a tool to stimulate economic growth through substantial tax cuts. However, analyses show that its benefits were disproportionately skewed toward wealthier, predominantly white households.
A report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that, on average, white households received a tax cut of $2,020, while Black households received $840 and Latino households received $970. Moreover, more than 40 percent of the tax cuts benefited white households in the top five percent of earners — despite this group comprising only 3.9 percent of all tax returns.
These disparities are further compounded by tax expenditures that favor wealth-building mechanisms accessible primarily to affluent households. Deductions related to homeownership and retirement savings disproportionately benefit those with higher incomes and assets, leaving low- and moderate-income families — many of whom are African American — with limited access to the same advantages.
Extending the TCJA raises serious concerns about deepening racial and economic inequities. The Economic Policy Institute warns that extending high-income tax cuts could further enrich affluent households and profitable corporations, thereby widening the economic chasm between the wealthy and marginalized communities. Given that Black families, on average, own about 23 cents for every dollar of wealth held by white families, policies that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy are likely to exacerbate the racial wealth divide.
To meaningfully address these disparities, tax reform must aim to reduce — not reinforce — wealth inequality. Strengthening and expanding refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit can provide substantial support to low- and moderate-income families. These credits have proven instrumental in lifting millions out of poverty and offering effective tools for potentially building wealth in African American and other low-wealth communities.
Additionally, innovative policies such as baby bonds offer a promising approach to addressing wealth inequality from birth. These government-funded trust accounts are designed to give children from low-income families a financial foundation as they enter adulthood, promoting long-term wealth accumulation and economic mobility. For example, Connecticut has launched a statewide baby bonds program that invests $3,200 on the behalf of all children whose births were covered by the state’s medicare program. These funds are projected to grow to between $10,000 and $24,000 by the time recipients reach adulthood.
As we reflect on our tax policies and their broader societal impacts, we must recognize their role in either perpetuating or alleviating racial and economic disparities. The potential extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act presents an opportunity to reassess our national commitment to equity and justice. By implementing tax reforms that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and promote inclusive wealth-building, we can move closer to closing the racial wealth divide and building a more equitable economy for all.
