Jul 23, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS DEMAND VOTE AGAINST BILL TO RESTRICT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT

National Hispanic Leaders Demand Vote Against Bill to Restrict the Child Tax Credit
Coalition strongly opposes H.R. 4935, expected to face vote on House floor Thursday

Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, expressed its strong opposition to H.R. 4935, the so-called Child Tax Credit Improvement Act, in a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The bill, expected to be voted on by the full House on Thursday, would deny access to the Child Tax Credit for millions of poor Latino children and families, causing even greater economic distress for families struggling to make ends meet.

Of those who would be negatively impacted by H.R. 4935, over 80 percent are Hispanic. In its letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives, NHLA expressed its intention to include votes on this legislation in its scorecard.

With nearly one third of working families struggling to meet basic needs, the Child Tax Credit provides some degree of relief. This proven anti-poverty tool is available for taxpayers who are working, earning income, and raising children. It is legally available for qualified taxpayers who file their taxes with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).

H.R. 4935 and similar legislation would eliminate the Child Tax Credit for anyone who files tax returns using an ITIN. ITINs are commonly used by individuals who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number. These taxpayers include lawfully present individuals, such as certain survivors of domestic violence, Cuban and Haitian entrants, spouses and children of individuals with employment visas, as well as undocumented immigrants.

For the full text of the letter, click here or copy and paste this web address into your browser: http://bit.ly/72214ctc.

Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and LatinosUnited.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

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