The Minnesota Budget Project is seeking organizations to join our sign-on letter to the Minnesota Congressional delegation in support of recent improvements to the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Both of these tax credits are vital in helping low- and moderate-income Minnesota families make ends meet.
Last year, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Congress made it easier for families to qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Approximately 156,000 Minnesota children have been helped by the improvements to the CTC, which brought an additional $126 million to Minnesota families. But unless Congress acts to extend these improvements, they will disappear at the end of this year.
Similarly, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) now includes a new “third tier” that allows families with three or more children to receive a larger tax credit. There is also an improvement for some married couples. Approximately 102,000 Minnesota households have benefitted from these improvements to the EITC that have also brought an additional $51 million to Minnesota families. But again, unless Congress acts, these improvements will disappear at the end of 2010.
Congress will likely vote on extending a package of middle-income tax cuts some time in the next few months. It is important that our Minnesota Congressional delegation hear from you to urge them to also extend these improvements to the CTC and EITC that help low- and moderate-income working families. The deadline for joining our letter is noon on Friday, May 21.
-Steve Francisco
Please don’t cut earned income credit, so many families like mine need it. Without it, we can’t buy a used car, put braces on the kids, or buy the things our children need for school. Please don’t cut it.
Alan T.
We support the sign on letter MCN to support Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credits for families. These tax credits are critical for working families.