This week, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., brought out the “Armed Forces Deferred Tax Relief Act.”
According to the congressman’s office, the bill will “direct the Secretary of Defense to compensate members of the Armed Forces for certain taxes deferred pursuant to Internal Revenue Service Notice 2020-65″ and “such deferred taxes are withheld by the Secretary of Defense during the period beginning on January 1, 2021 and end by April 30, 2021, the Secretary shall make a payment to such a member in an amount equal to the deferred tax withheld.”
Hastings jabbed President Donald Trump’s Presidential Memorandum from August 8 which set up the deferral, insisting it was “politically motivated” and will lead to a “large tax bill coming due between January and April of 2021″ as “servicemembers’ Social Security Income Tax Withholding will double during the first four months of 2021, rising from 6.2 percent to 12.4 percent.”
The congressman weighed in on the bill on Tuesday.
“Active Duty service members’ have selflessly put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedoms,” said Hastings. “This legislation will not only show our gratitude to them, but it will also correct a reckless endeavor by President Trump to use these brave men and women as political pawns in his reelection bid.”
Hastings has not reeled in any cosponsors for the bill which was sent to the U.S. House Ways and Means and the Armed Services Committee this week. There is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.
First elected to Congress in 1992, Hastings is the vice-chairman of the U.S. House Rules Committee. He faces welding inspector Greg Musselwhite, the Republican nominee, on Election Day next week. Representing one of the most secure districts for Democrats in the state, Hastings is a heavy favorite to win another term.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
