Representing North Carolina’s Ninth District                                                                        

Tax Cuts for Hard Working Americans

I worked hard with my colleagues in Congress to pass legislation that permanently eliminates the Marriage Penalty tax.  Without this law, 27 million married couples would face an average tax increase of $300 in 2005, and over 35 million would see a tax increase of more than $700 starting in 2011.  Married couples do not have to worry about this tax burden any more!

We also passed the Middle-Class Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Relief Act of 2004.  This law extends AMT relief through 2005.  Without this law, 11 million middle class taxpayers would have been hit with an average tax increase of $1,520.  The AMT is a ridiculous part of our tax system, and I will fight hard to eliminate it all together.     

The 10% Income Tax Bracket Extension bill we passed would permanently place the first $14,000 of every couple’s taxable income ($7,000 for singles) at 10% instead of 15%.  This law saves 73 million working people from an average tax increase of $2,400 over the next decade, and prevents 22 million low-income workers from being pushed into a higher tax bracket. 

This week, Congress will vote to extend the Child Tax Credit through 2005.  Passage of this bill will ensure that hard working families continue to receive a $1,000 tax credit for each child.

Congress needed to pass legislation that extends tax relief, but we can do more.  As chair of the Republican Study Committee, a group of 96 fiscal conservatives in the House, I am leading the charge to make all of the tax cuts (Alternative Minimum Tax, the Death Tax, and the Child Tax Credit) permanent. 

History proves that tax cuts grow the economy.  There is no limit to how much America can prosper if the government would get off your back and let you keep more of your hard earned paychecks!

Remember, there is no such thing as federal money.  Tax dollars are your money.  You work hard to earn your pay, and you deserve to keep it.  I’m fighting for you in Washington to make sure that happens.

###