Resource Human-Centered Design Service Design

Designed for Filing, Not for Families: Reimagining Tax Credit Delivery

This explores how tax credit systems can be redesigned to better meet the needs of families, especially those facing systemic barriers to filing and receiving benefits.

Organization: New America
Author: Devyani Singh
Published Year: 2025

Drawing on human-centered research, the report examines why millions of eligible families—particularly those with low incomes—fail to access critical tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.

It identifies key challenges such as administrative complexity, limited trust in government, and a system designed around compliance rather than service. The report recommends a shift toward a delivery-focused approach that prioritizes simplicity, dignity, and equity through better policy, design, and outreach strategies.