Taxes are one of the most important tools of public policy. Taxes shape the way each of us earns, saves, and spends money. Reforming our tax system is critical to the elimination of poverty and progress toward economic justice. Although the federal income tax is broadly progressive (charging poorer people lower rates), the tax system as a whole is tilted in favor of the rich and powerful. State and local income taxes, social security taxes, and some sales taxes are disproportionately levied against poorer people.
Economics and justice both dictate that the poor should pay the least percentage of their income in taxes. A pro-poor tax system is good for everyone. The current system is broken, and while we all suffer for it, the poor suffer most.
Just Harvest is advocating for better federal, state, and local tax policies. We want an expansion of existing low-income tax benefits (such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and PA Tax Back), easier ways for low-income people to file their taxes, and reform of the tax structure as a whole to make it more progressive and fair. To find out more about our work, and how you can get involved in our advocacy efforts, contact Kristie Weiland Stagno.
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