Pullen: It’s time to make the tax relief permanent.  

Phoenix, AZ – Yesterday marked the 5th anniversary of the 2003 tax relief package for working Americans being signed into law. Over the course of the past five years, the tax relief package has saved American families approximately $1.3 trillion. This is money they were able to save or spend on their family, money they did not pay to the government.

“The Democrat Congress is set to enact the largest tax increase in American history in 2009 if they fail to make the relief package permanent,” said Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen. “Democrats Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords campaigned in 2006 on the promise of keeping taxes low for Arizonans. Their failure to lead and act on this issue will result in more money being taken from the pockets of Arizona taxpayers by the government.”

If Representatives Mitchell and Giffords allow the Democrat Congress to continue the “do nothing” approach to controlling spending in Washington, here will be the annual cost to Americans:

• 48 million married couples will face a $3,007 increase on average.  Part of the increase is due to many married couples once again having to be forced to pay more taxes as a married couple than if each were treated as a single.
• 12 million single women with dependents will face a tax increase averaging $1,091.
• 18 million seniors will face a $2,181 average tax increase.
• 27 million small business owners will face a $4,066 tax increase on average.

“The last thing Arizona families and seniors can afford today is more taxes,” said Pullen. “It’s time to make the tax relief permanent, and for Democrats to make good on just one of their campaign promises.”