Better tax credits are the cash tools we need to end child poverty say RESULTS Experts on Poverty and renowned researcher
April 15, 2025—Today, RESULTS Experts on Poverty Tiffany Tagbo and Candace Baker came together with prominent researcher Dr. Luke Shaefer to call for stronger tax credits to fight child poverty. Right now, Congress is hashing out the future of the tax code. Critical pieces of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have expired. These experts and a network of grassroots advocates call on Congress to tap into a unique opportunity for kids and families with the tax package.
“The Child Tax Credit provided invaluable support to my family and me during a difficult time when we were low on money and resources, offering financial assistance and essential services that helped us regain stability,” said RESULTS Expert on Poverty, Tiffany Tagbo.
Expert on Poverty, Candace Baker has had a different but similarly powerful experience with the credit. “Financial stability isn’t just about money — it’s about life and freedom. When I have the cash to handle the unexpected, I’m not just surviving, I’m thriving. My career has flourished, my kids are growing and learning, and my family can finally breathe.”
Dr. Luke Shaefer, faculty director of the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions initiative, says the research agrees.
“We briefly brought child poverty to a historic low with the Expanded Child Tax Credit in 2021. We saw what was possible. This builds on evidence from more than 140 nations that have used cash to make children better off — with great success time and time again,” Shaefer said.
All of these experts stressed the importance of anti-poverty programs to keep families afloat. Tools like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid make survival possible.
“Surviving poverty doesn’t break its cycle. You can’t stretch SNAP benefits to cover the cost of your child’s school clothes or keep up with rent hikes that leave families scrambling. If we want our children to move beyond survival and into thriving, Congress must pass stronger tax credits and implement policies that empower families to build a better future, not just get by,” added Expert on Poverty, Candace.
Watch the Zoom recording of the press conference here.
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Media Contact:
Laura Labarre, RESULTS
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About RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:
RESULTS supports a movement of passionate, committed everyday people using their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Volunteers and staff multiply their impact through the enormous power of advocacy.
Our movement of volunteers is backed by a staff of researchers, policy analysts, and legislative and media experts. Our shared goal is the end of poverty. We have affiliates and partners across five continents, and a network of volunteers in all 50 states and worldwide. We’re a non-partisan advocacy group comprised of RESULTS Educational Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and RESULTS, a nonprofit 501(c)4 grassroots lobbying organization.