wfn.org | Religious groups seek tax relief for low-income workers

["Philip Jenks" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

Religious Groups Seek Tax Policies that assist
Low-Income Working Families

Washington, April 15, 2010 -- As millions joined the last-minute frenzy  to 
file federal income taxes Thursday, religious groups urged Congress  to craft 
tax policies to help low-income working families.

In particular, Congress must address a series of tax cuts and tax  credits that 
are set to expire this year, said more than a dozen  religious groups, 
including the National Council of Churches.

"The National Council of Churches has repeatedly argued that the  struggle to 
overcome endemic poverty in 21st century America is the  moral equivalent of 
the movement for civil rights in the 20th century,"  said Rev. Dr. Michael 
Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary.

"And crucial to that struggle is a tax policy that provides adequate  support 
and incentives for low-income families and low-wage workers,"  Kinnamon said.

A coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups, and major  faith-based 
organizations has developed principles to guide the  development of tax 
legislation that will enable families and individuals  to provide for their 
immediate need (see  www.bread.org/religious-principles).

Sound tax policies can help create incentives for saving, so that  families can 
build assets to weather future economic shifts and  ultimately move out of 
poverty, the groups said.

"We can't end hunger in this country through nutrition programs alone.  Tax 
credits give low-income working families the critical resources they  need to 
bridge the gap between what they earn and what they need," said  Rev. David 
Beckmann, president of Bread for the World.

The Faith Reflections on Anti-Poverty Tax Policy come in support of  Bread for 
the World's 2010 Offering of Letters Campaign - in which  thousands of churches 
and people of faith are participating. For more  information, see 
www.bread.org/OL2010).

The groups said principles for tax reform should include:

* Provide adequate income assistance and related services to working  families 
and individuals.
* Strengthen and expand programs that support low-income working parents  with 
children.
* Provide incentives to pursue and maintain employment and increase  earnings.
* Strengthen and expand programs that support workers' efforts to  develop 
their human capital, invest in their financial security, and  achieve 
self-sufficiency.
* Make the legislation as simple as practicable so that taxpayers, tax  
administrators and legislators can understand the rules and confidently  apply 
or comply with them.
* Raise adequate revenues to meet societal needs while supporting  economic 
growth and job creation.

The National Council of Churches, representing 36 communions and 100,000  
congregations, has focused on issues of poverty throughout its history.  Among 
the highlights of the Council's anti-poverty work are education  and worship 
resources on poverty and faith, available at  www.nccendpoverty.org.       
       

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office),  646-853-4212 (cell) 
, pjenks@ncccusa.org