
October 16, 2024
(Washington) — A new policy memo from scholars at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and the Niskanen Center calls on Congress to deliver much-needed tax relief to American parents. The memo details a child tax credit proposal for Congress to consider in upcoming tax debates. The document was signed by a range of high-profile conservatives and think tank leaders.
“If Congress doesn’t act in 2025, parents will get hit with a huge tax hike,” said Patrick T. Brown, a fellow in EPPC’s Life and Family Initiative who contributed to the document. “Our memo gives policymakers options for helping ensure those doing the hard work of raising future generations are prioritized in current and future tax negotiations, including giving them immediate economic support at the time they need it most.”
A number of high-profile figures signed on in support of the memo including Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins, Institute for Family Studies’ Brad Wilcox, National Review Editor and Washington Post columnist Ramesh Ponnuru, and senior leadership from several major conservative organizations like the American Principles Project and Faith and Freedom Coalition.
The memo offers, “key pro-family tax policy reforms we encourage you to incorporate in any discussions and negotiations. As you identify opportunities to improve the tax code, we and our partners strongly urge you to prioritize working parents and proactively seek out ways to bolster family life.”
The key recommendations are as follows:
1) Increase the top-line value of the Child Tax Credit to at least $3,000.
2) Improve the Child Tax Credit’s ability to deliver for working-class households.
3) Reduce marriage penalties by eliminating Head of Household filing status.
4) Curb improper payments by expanding Social Security Number requirements.
5) Provide immediate economic support to parents at the time of childbirth.
The memo concludes with a call to action, “2025 presents a unique opportunity to build upon the successes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and deliver a tax code that promotes family flourishing and removes barriers to marriage and work.”
The memo can be read in full here.
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Media Inquiries:
Hunter Estes
Director of Communications
Ethics and Public Policy Center