Tax Credits
Congress and the administration need to ensure our tax policies help the most vulnerable Americans. In 2018, refundable tax credits, such as the earned income tax credit (EITC) and child tax credit (CTC), moved 7.9 million people out of poverty and helped to prevent millions of Americans from falling into poverty.
In 2017, Congress passed a major tax overhaul that widened income and racial disparities—cutting the corporate tax rate and treating low-income households largely as an afterthought. In fact, 11 million children under age 17 in households with the lowest incomes received no improvement in the CTC, even though households earning as high as $400,000 received large increases.
The EITC significantly benefits low-income workers with children. However, low-income workers not raising children in the home receive little or nothing from the EITC. As a result, workers not raising children in the home are the sole group that the federal tax system taxes deeper into poverty.
Research shows that the EITC and CTC increases employment, reduces poverty, and improves the outcomes of children such as better health and higher educational attainment.
Congress should support policies such as the Working Families Tax Relief (H.R. 3157/S.1138). The legislation expands the EITC for workers not raising children in the home, increases the EITC benefit, and makes the CTC fully refundable for lower-income households.
The legislation would benefit 46 million low- and moderate-income households and 114 people by providing them with more income.
"Jesus said ...
'You give them something to eat.'"
Matthew 14:16
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
We cannot end hunger in the U.S. without raising the minimum wage.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $150 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $150 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.