New Laws Effective January 1st
TAX CUTS
The state budget, adopted in June, cuts the bottom two marginal income tax rates for all filers from 3% to 2% and from 5% to 4.5%. Income taxes on the first $50,000 in taxable income will be lowered for single filers and married people filing separately, $100,000 for joint filers, and $80,000 for heads of household. January 1 is also the start of easing the cliff on income tax exemptions for retirement income. The new budget adds a tax deduction schedule for retirement income above the full exemption threshold.
SUPPORTS FOR THE I/DD COMMUNITY
Within Public Act 23-137 are several provisions to assist residents with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). They include: additional credits for businesses who hire individuals with IDD, the Connecticut JOBSCT Tax Rebate Program will lower the threshold for hiring-businesses from 25 new full-time employees, to 15, and still retain eligibility for 50-percent income tax rebates for the new employees, if one employee has an intellectual disability.
Additionally, this new law also requires the Department of Social Services to provide annual reports on the size of the waiting list for the Medicare waiver program for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and requires the state to create and acquire sensory kits for emergency service workers to provide to both children and adults to assist them during emergency encounters.
HELPING FIREFIGHTERS
Each and every day our firefighters put their safety and lives on the line in service to our communities. Unfortunately, some of the repercussions from this work isn’t always evident right away and may take years to develop (contact with hazardous materials, etc.).
As part of Public Act 21-58, municipalities will now be required to make annual contributions toward the state’s firefighters cancer relief account, which will be used to provide wage replacement benefits to eligible paid and volunteer firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer. As of January 1, towns must contribute $10 for each career or volunteer firefighter in its district or districts.
ONLINE DATING SAFETY
In 2023, the legislature passed a bill to increase safety measures to the world of online dating. Under this law, online dating companies will now be required to have safety centers and reporting procedures. The purpose of this is to provide individuals with an opportunity to respond to unwanted behaviors, report sexual harassment, and safety advice for online dating, including alerts to romance scams.
BOTTLE BILL
As of January 1st, the deposit for certain beverages will increase from five to ten cents. While this bill was passed during the 2022 legislative session, it was part of a phased roll out. The cost of deposits on hard cider, plant water/plant infused drinks, juice/juice drinks, tea, coffee, kombucha, and sports/energy drinks will increase.
For a full list of bills that went into effect, click here.