Single-parent families will enjoy additional income tax reductions of up to NT$115,500 (US$3,586.96) per household if a proposed revision to the Income Tax Law clears the legislative floor, lawmakers said Wednesday. The proposal was initiated by ruling Kuomintang Legislator Kuo Su-chun, who said single-parent families deserve more income tax deductions because during an economic downturn they are more vulnerable than dual-parent families and more likely to fall below the poverty line. Her proposal received the endorsement of 24 other legislators from across party lines. Citing government statistics, Kuo said 5.51 percent of single-parent families fall below the poverty line as defined by the government, compared to 1.97 percent among dual-parent families. The Ministry of the Interior defines the low-income population as people whose monthly incomes fall below the minimum cost of living standard set by the government. The minimum cost of living currently stands at NT$9,829 in all cities and counties except Taipei City and County, Kaohsiung City, Kinmen and Matsu. In Taipei City it is NT$14,558, in Taipei County NT$10,792, in Kaohsiung City 11,309, and in Kinmen and Matsu NT$7,400. According to MOI statistics, the low-income population rose to 241,237 persons in the second quarter of the year, an increase of more than 17,300 from the previous quarter. This means that it was 1.29 percent of the total population, the highest in recorded history, MOI said. 