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House Republicans continue their assault on the estate tax this week as they work to move to the House floor a "compromise" estate tax bill. Although Rep. Bill Thomas' (R-CA) bill is not a full repeal, it is quite costly. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that it will cost the Treasury $612 billion between 2012-2021 (75 percent of a full repeal). In this regard, Thomas' bill is no different than Sen. John Kyl's (R-AZ) earlier compromise proposals.

An unprecedented coalition of organizations has come together to block repeal of the estate tax. Two weeks ago, the Americans for a Fair Estate Tax coalition gathered 740 organizations on this sign-on letter to the Senate opposing repeal or drastic reform of the estate tax! Together we can all force the Senate to abandon attempts to gut this important tax.

>> Talking Points On the Estate Tax Vote
The AFET coalition compiled a set of talking points in preparation for the Senate vote on the estate tax, which did not occur as scheduled because Hurricanes Katrina and Rita resulted in a Congressional legislative shake-up. The talking points were created to prepare organizations, advocates, and concerned Americans with how to take action to preserve the estate tax.

Take Action Today!
Send a Letter to Your Senator
Submit a Letter to the Editor of your local paper

>> Organizations Urge Senate to Save Estate Tax:
Letter to Senators Cautions Against Dangerous Reform Proposals
More than 160 state and national organizations in the Americans for a Fair Estate Tax coalition sent a letter to all U.S. Senators on July 26 to voice their strong opposition to repeal or irresponsible reform of the estate tax. The combined organizations represent over 20,000 nonprofit organizations around the country with roughly 20 million members.

Read the letter and accompanying press release:
Press Release (.pdf)
AFET Letter to the Senate (.pdf)

>> Americans for a Fair Estate Tax (AFET) Opposes House Repeal Bill (H.R. 8)
The AFET coalition sent a letter to all House offices urging opposition to H.R. 8, a bill to permanently repeal the estate tax. The irresponsible and dangerous bill will cost $290 billion over the next ten years - money the federal government can hardly afford to lose while running huge deficits.

The letter detailed multiple reasons for opposing H.R. 8. Permanent repeal of the estate tax would deprive the government of a much needed revenue source at a critical time for our country, dratically reduce charitable giving, and eliminate the most progressive element of our tax system.

Read AFETs Letter to the House Opposing H.R. 8 (.pdf)

The bill passed the House on April 15, 2005 by a vote of 272 - 162. Read more about the bill

>> Two New Fact Sheets On Estate Tax
AFET has recently released two new facts sheets on the estate tax. The first describes the drastic impact full repeal would have on nonprofit organizations and charitable giving and the second with myths and incorrect information being circulated about the effects of the estate tax on family farms and small businesses.

The Adverse Impact Estate Tax Repeal Has On Nonprofits (.pdf)
The Estate Tax and Its Impact on Farms and Small Businesses (.pdf)

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Americans For a Fair Estate Tax is a large coalition of nonprofit organizations and others from around the country representing a wide cross-section of America. The coalition is non-partisan and made up of civic, labor, social justice, faith-based, and environmental nonprofit organizations, as well as organizations providing human services. The coalition is dedicated to preserving the estate tax in some form as a valuable part of the progressive U.S. tax system.

>> Read the AFET letter to the nonprofit community

>> AFET Coalition Steering Committee Members