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Elyssa Schmier's picture

Today is Tax Day!!!

And while you’re filing your taxes, rushing off to the post office, and taxes are on the top of your mind —it’s the perfect opportunity to also remind your U.S. Representative and Senators that there is still a lot that can be done to make our tax system work for working families and NOT just wealthy corporations!

**Write your members of Congress TODAY and ask them to support tax policies that work for low-wage workers, our families and our economy and NOT just for wealthy corporations!

Your voice matters! Last year thanks to YOU, Congress passed major legislation that strengthens and protects the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) for working families. You wrote tens of thousands of letters to Congress, met with your elected leaders, and shared with them your stories. This was a huge victory, especially since the EITC and CTC are two of the most successful anti-poverty programs our country has right now. Millions of Americans, including about 21 million mothers, benefit from the EITC and CTC. In addition, more than 9 million people, including 5 million children, avoid falling into poverty using these credits. This boosts our economy and families alike.

We’re building off of this victory by encouraging Congress to pass more tax policies that boost workers, families and our economy, instead of just protecting tax breaks for wealthy corporations that mostly just outsource their labor and profits overseas. You and I both know that Congress can make some small but important changes to the EITC and Child Tax Credit so more families are able to access it and benefit from this amazing anti-poverty program that lifts our economy. Expanding the EITC for low-wage childless adults would prevent 8 million people from being taxed into poverty; these are parents of adult children, non-custodial parents, grandparents who help care for our children, and even young workers who will some day have a family of their own. Making key changes to the CTC for families with children under the age of six will also help families offset the cost of raising young children including the cost of diapers, doctor’s visits, and childcare.

Speaking of childcare, childcare costs are sky high, costing more than college in most states! In fact, in the past thirty years, childcare costs for working families have increased by 70% and wages have most certainly not kept up.  This is leading many families to make difficult financial decisions. Improvements in the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) could help millions of families better afford quality childcare for their little ones, so we’re fighting for improvements in that policy too.

**Write your members of Congress TODAY and tell them to make sure our tax system works for working families!

Congress may well consider major tax legislation in the next year so the timing is urgent. Policymakers in both parties are saying they want to make big changes in our federal tax code. We want to get in there early with our signatures, experiences, perspectives, and stories to make sure that our lawmakers know that tax reform isn’t just for wealthy corporations and individuals but for children and families too!

With these tax improvements, we know we will be providing money to help make ends meet for our families throughout the year and pay for things that otherwise might be unaffordable like childcare, a car to get to work, a place to live, shoes for our kids, and other necessities. And by making those purchases we are funneling money back into our local economy, which sorely needs it.

Which is why we need you to speak out today and tell Congress “make our tax policies work for working families!”

Please take a moment to share the action link on Facebook and Twitter, and with friends and family members who may be interested. The more of us who take action, the bigger the impact we’ll have in this important moment.

Together we are a powerful voice for moms, children, and families!

P.S. Along with your signatures, we want to deliver your experiences with these policies to Congress as well! How would these changes to the EITC, Child Tax Credit, and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) help your family? Tell us about it here.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of MomsRising.org.

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