WASHINGTON, April 1 – Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch announced Wednesday that the Making Work Pay tax credit created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will take effect today.

More than 300,000 Vermont families will receive $100 million in tax cuts through the federal stimulus bill, which was signed into law in February.

“The stimulus package is creating millions of jobs rebuilding our infrastructure and moving us toward energy independence. But it’s also is important to remember that the stimulus bill includes tax relief for working families,” said Sen. Sanders. “Every payday from now own, most workers will see more money in their paychecks and less taken out for the IRS. This is an important way to help pull the economy out of the recession while helping hard-working families that are under enormous pressure.”

Working Vermonters can expect to see an increase of at least $65 a month in their paychecks. The tax credit – one of the fastest and broadest in American history – applies to 95 percent of working families.

In 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay tax credit will provide a refundable tax credit of 6.2 percent of earned income up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married taxpayers. The full credit will be paid to those making $75,000 or less ($150,000 per couple) and a partial credit will be paid to those making under $95,000 ($190,000 per couple).