In 2009, after taking care of my newborn full-time while he was going through chemotherapy, all of our life savings had been spent. Tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) enabled us to--just barely--keep our heads above water by decreasing our tax burden while we were going through hard times.

This isn’t just my story alone: More than 27 million families (and the local economies where they live) across the country have benefited from the EITC. In fact, for every $1 provided by the EITC, it is estimated that $1.50 ends up being spent locally, which improves our economy.

This is why, with Congress turning its focus to tax reform, families and our communities have a lot at stake.

Sign-on today, urging Congress to protect and strengthen tax credits for working families with children! http://action.momsrising.org/letter/EITC_CTC/

Right now, Congress is making decisions about tax reform. Some members of Congress want to use this opportunity to skew tax benefits more toward the very wealthy and big corporations, while requiring hard-working families to pay more in federal income taxes. This doesn't add up. First of all: When families don't have funds to spend, then our whole consumer-fueled economy suffers. We can't buy groceries in local stores or make purchases like back-to-school clothes.

Family income is already tight for parents without Congress making it worse. In fact, having a child is a leading cause of poverty spells in the U.S., so Congress should not shift more of the tax burden to parents and away from the very wealthy. We must send a clear message to Congress that working families, not the very wealthy and big corporations, should be their top priority in tax reform.

Sign a letter to Congress NOW, urging them not to raise taxes on hard-working families! http://action.momsrising.org/letter/EITC_CTC/

What's the scoop?

Both the EITC and CTC reward work, significantly reduce the number of children living in poverty, and help working parents make ends meet and save for the future.

• The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that supplements the wages of low-income workers. The more wages people earn, the more benefits their families receive until a certain point when the benefits begin to decline and finally disappear. People apply for this tax credit when they complete their income tax returns.
• The Child Tax Credit (CTC) provides financial support for working families with children. The credit is available for children under age 17 to families earning at least $3,000. Families can receive a refund of 15 percent of their earnings above $3,000 up to $1,000 per child.

There were significant improvements made to both of these tax credits in 2009 as part of the economic recovery package. Combined, these improved credits are currently helping 13 million households and over 26 million children. These tax credits are also stimulating our economy. Congressional focus on tax reform right now offers a key opportunity to make sure these improvements are extended permanently and no harmful cuts are made.

Sign on now to tell Congress not to raise taxes on struggling working families! http://action.momsrising.org/letter/EITC_CTC/

Numbers tell us how critical these tax credits can be for moms—nationally in 2010, about 21 million low- and moderate-income working mothers received the EITC and/or the CTC. These credits make a big difference for kids, lifting more children out of poverty than any other public program, and also stimulating our economy. Case in point: in 2011, 4.9 million children were lifted out of poverty by the EITC and CTC.

Now is the time to send a clear message to Congress that working families, not the very wealthy and big corporations, should be their top priority in tax reform.

Have you been helped by the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit? If so, share your experiences here and we'll make sure policymakers hear from real people like you! http://www.momsrising.org/member_stories/topic/eitc