VITA: On Congress’ radar screen

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (left) – here visiting with Center for Economic Progress Tax Site Manager Denise Bauch at a program in suburban Chicago – has joined nearly 50 Congressional colleagues in calling for strong VITA resources.

It’s good to see the value of VITA reemerging in key federal policy communications recently – the product of strong efforts by advocates and Congressional champions alike.

For example, as lawmakers begin to focus on budget decisions, nearly 50 of them have personally endorsed the need to ensure strong resources for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance in Fiscal Year 2014.

New proposals for strengthening tax credits, working families

Tax credits that help working families make ends meet should be treated as no less important than tax benefits exclusive to the very wealthiest of households. In fact, they’re even more critical to the overall stability of our nation’s economy.

Thus, NCTC has obtained the signatures of more than 300 local, state, and national organizations for a letter supporting new legislation to protect and strengthen the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and (EITC).

VITA = tax simplicity = tax reform

Strengthening VITA should be among the first orders of business for any federal tax reforms prioritizing “simplicity,” according to comments NCTC submitted to Congress on Tax Day.

The working families who would benefit from improvements in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance also need policymakers to bolster targeted tax credits as well as important savings policies, we added.

Congress seeks tax-reform ideas; let’s oblige

“Tax reform” can mean many different things. So, as Congress collects ideas for tax-code changes, it’s important that advocates for working families make clear our chief aim for any reforms: protecting and strengthening the well-being of struggling households.

State of the Union 2012 – A Glimmer of Hope for Tax Reform

President Obama delivers his State of the Union speech.

Last night, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress with no shortage of proposals designed to continue to spur economic confidence and growth. While many of the specifics of his proposals will be laid out over the coming weeks, I was pleased to hear several overtures to take the tax reform bull by the horns and make real progress while recognizing the needs of our hardest working taxpaying families.

The President’s speech emphasized fairness, and I look forward to seeing how the optimism expressed for our economy last night will be translated into honest reform.

State Stories: Strengthen the EITC, Strengthen Local Economies

Sean Noble serves as NCTC's Director of Public Policy & Research

This week, NCTC was able to help our Illinois affiliate – the Center for Economic Progress – make an important plug for increasing that state’s Earned Income Tax Credit.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a package of tax-relief measures for businesses that have raised concerns about the effects of a state income tax increase approved last January. Governor Pat Quinn has insisted that any such package include a long-overdue boost in the Illinois EITC, which – set at 5 percent of the federal credit – now is tied for the nation’s second-smallest such state credit.