FYI: The Internal Revenue Service has dropped its controversial proposal to force people claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide birth certificates for the children they are claiming and marriage certificates for the parents of those kids. The IRS announced its change of heart on the rule on June 13 when it opened up for public comment its broader plan for pre-certifying claimants requesting the EITC. The new version of the proposal maintains plans to send those eligible for the credit forms asking them to provide documentation that the children to be claimed have lived with them for at least half of the tax year. An internal IRS advisory committee objected to the marriage and birth certificate requirements due to the difficulty of obtaining them in some states, particularly for those who are not the child’s biological parents, and thus are not named on the birth certificate and may not have access to the marriage certificate. Public comments are due July 16. [6/27/03]