Low-Income Tax Credits Laser Talk
Prioritize Tax Policies That Focus on Working Families
Engage: Tax policy can create economic opportunity and mobility – the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) lift more families and children out of poverty than any other program.
Problem: Unfortunately, the current federal tax code taxes more than 5 million low-wage workers not raising children at home into (or deeper into) poverty, and one in three children in low-income families do not receive the full Child Tax Credit.
Illustrate or Inform: Over the last several decades, gains in income and wealth have primarily gone to those at the top, while economic growth has slowed and inequality has increased. We should restructure current tax policies to reduce inequality and help families make ends meet by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit for low-income families [include your own EITC or CTC experience and/or why you care]. The Working Families Tax Relief Act (S. 1138/H.R.3157) is an exciting proposal to expand both the EITC and CTC, which would help 114 million people and reduce child poverty by 28 percent.
House Call to Action: Will you prioritize working families by cosponsoring the robust EITC and CTC expansions in H.R.3157?
Senate Call to Action: Congress is considering legislation to extend a collection of mainly business tax breaks. House leaders want expansions of the EITC and CTC included in any business “tax extenders” bill. Will you tell Senate leaders to adhere to the 2015 precedent that no business tax breaks should be extended or expanded without also helping low-income workers and families through expansions of the EITC and CTC?