Obama's 'no income taxes on seniors' draws critics

WASHINGTON The Obama campaign says it would give tax cuts averaging $1,400 to seven million older Americans battling inflation with mostly fixed incomes, while relieving millions of them from the hassle of filing complicated tax returns.

But many experts say seniors who don't really need the benefit would gain the most, while the ones who do need help wouldn't get it. They also point out people in that age group already get preferential treatment from the tax code. Even the powerful seniors' lobby AARP doesn't seem excited about Obama's idea.

Robert Greenstein with the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities puts it this way: "Given all the problems and needs the nation faces, targeting relief to this group isn't a priority."

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