This Mother’s Day, Protect the EITC and CTC for Working Moms
By Kate Skochdopole
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) give working mothers the support they need to earn a living while raising a family.
Twenty-one million low- to moderate-income mothers received either the EITC or low-income portion of the CTC in 2012. In addition to providing financial stability for millions of American families, tax credits like the CTC and EITC have been shown to increase feelings of self-esteem, citizenship and social inclusion. The credits are also linked to higher wage growth for women, and healthier birthweights among children of mothers who receive either the EITC or CTC.
Unfortunately, key provisions of both credits are scheduled to expire in 2017 if Congress does not act to extend them or make them permanent. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that 10 million mothers – and 25 million children – could lose all or part of their EITC and/or CTC if these provisions are allowed to expire. A single mother of two working full time for the minimum wage and earning just $14,500 could lose her entire CTC of $1,725.
Making these key EITC and CTC provisions permanent would prevent a tax increase on millions of working mothers in 2017, helping to ensure that they continue to earn enough to raise a family.
