"House Passes Rule Waiving Tax Deadlines for American Hostages Abroad"

Chamber
house

about 1 month ago - Politics

In a recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, a new rule was created to help Americans who end up stuck in scary situations in other countries. This rule is a part of something called "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act". People who belong to the Republican group in the House mostly supported and helped pass this rule.

Here's what this new rule says: if an American citizen is captured or held against their will in another country, they won’t have to worry about tax due dates while they are stuck there. Usually, everyone has to file tax papers by a certain time, but this rule gives these Americans extra time to do that without getting into trouble for being late. This also applies to their husband or wife, so their family isn’t hurt financially while dealing with such difficult times.

Furthermore, this rule is fair not just for the present, but also for the past. It says that if the government charged any late fees or extra taxes from these people or their partners because they couldn't file tax papers on time while they were captured, they will get that money back.

Passing this rule means that the government wants to help its citizens, no matter where they might be. The House Republicans played a key role in making sure this rule got passed, making life a bit easier for Americans facing tough situations outside the country.

This is a bill that helps Americans who have been detained unlawfully or held hostage abroad with their taxes. It gives them more time to pay taxes and removes any penalties or late fees they might have gotten during the time they were detained. Also, it lets their spouse enjoy the same benefits.

Here are the details:

  1. Tax Deadline Postponement: The bill lets these affected Americans and their spouses have extra time to do things like file their taxes or pay any owed taxes without any penalties. The extra time matches how long they were held or detained.

  2. Getting Rid of Penalties: If any fines or penalties were placed on them during the time they were detained, the government will remove these charges and if they already paid, they get their money back.

  3. Stopping Support to Terrorists: Organizations that support terrorism can no longer enjoy tax-free status.

  4. Keeping Track: Every year, the government will keep a list of all Americans who were detained abroad to help manage this process.

All of these changes are meant to start helping people from the day after the bill is accepted.

403 votes

Yes

219

No

184

Not Voting

30

  1. Received in the Senate.
  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 184 (Roll no. 477). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6159-6160)
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  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 184 (Roll no. 477). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6159-6160)
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  5. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 9495.
  7. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 and H.R. 9495. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 under a structured rule and H.R. 9495 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  8. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1576. (consideration: CR H6159-6168)
  9. Rule H. Res. 1576 passed House.
  10. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1576 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 and H.R. 9495. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1449 under a structured rule and H.R. 9495 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  11. Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 256 - 145 (Roll no. 458).
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  12. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 256 - 145 (Roll no. 458).
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  13. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5948)
  14. At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Doggett objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
  15. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9495.
  16. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5931-5937; text: CR H5931-5933)
  17. Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  18. Reported in House

    This is a bill that helps Americans who have been detained unlawfully or held hostage abroad with their taxes. It gives them more time to pay taxes and removes any penalties or late fees they might have gotten during the time they were detained. Also, it lets their spouse enjoy the same benefits.

    Here are the details:

    1. Tax Deadline Postponement: The bill lets these affected Americans and their spouses have extra time to do things like file their taxes or pay any owed taxes without any penalties. The extra time matches how long they were held or detained.

    2. Getting Rid of Penalties: If any fines or penalties were placed on them during the time they were detained, the government will remove these charges and if they already paid, they get their money back.

    3. Stopping Support to Terrorists: Organizations that support terrorism can no longer enjoy tax-free status.

    4. Keeping Track: Every year, the government will keep a list of all Americans who were detained abroad to help manage this process.

    All of these changes are meant to start helping people from the day after the bill is accepted.

  19. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 616.
  20. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-729.
  21. Introduced in House

    This is a bill proposed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to help American citizens who are unfairly detained abroad. The main focus is to adjust the tax deadlines for these individuals and make sure they do not face penalties for late payments during periods of their detention.

    Here's exactly what the bill proposes:

    1. Adjusting Tax Deadlines: The time that American citizens are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad will not be counted against them when it comes to performing tax-related duties. This means that if someone is supposed to pay taxes or file a return during the period they are detained, that time won’t count, and they'll be allowed to complete these tasks without penalty when they are released.

    2. Help for the Spouses: This delay in deadlines also applies to the spouses of those detained, so they too can handle taxes without the stress of immediate deadlines.

    3. Reimbursement for Late Penalties: If any penalties for late payments of taxes had been charged during the detention period, the government will cancel these charges (called 'abating') and refund the penalties that were paid.

    4. Stopping Support for Terrorist Groups via Taxes: The bill also ends the tax-exempt status of organizations that support terrorist activities, meaning these groups will have to pay taxes, reducing their financial resources.

    5. Keeping Track of Detained Americans: The bill requires key U.S. departments to keep updated lists of Americans who are detained abroad to aid in the proper application of these tax deadline changes.

    The intended outcome is that Americans who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances abroad won't be further burdened by tax issues at home. Their spouses can also find some relief under this bill, with administrative details handled in a way that acknowledges their difficult situations.