Omaha City Wire

Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) have introduced H.R. 9431, the Hostage Private Debt Tax Freedom Act. This legislation aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude forgiven debt of individuals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad from being taxed as income.

“Individuals unlawfully detained abroad should not have to endure thousands of dollars of additional income tax when they return,” said Rep. Bacon. “I’ve spoken with members of Paul Whelan’s family who shared his situation with me. Imagine finally being freed and given a grand welcome home, only to have the IRS send you a large tax bill. If a citizen is taken hostage and must report any taxable amount of a canceled debt as ordinary income, this bill would provide some tax relief for those individuals.”

"After being held for days, weeks, and months as hostages by terrorists and our adversaries, facing unimaginable horrors, and making it home, no one should be hit with extra income taxes,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “That's why I'm proud to lead the Hostage Private Debt Tax Freedom Act with my friend and fellow Problem Solvers Caucus colleague Don Bacon.”

Additionally, freed hostages often face late fines for failing to file taxes while being wrongfully detained. The Senate has unanimously cleared the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act led by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). Together, these bills could provide relief for these individuals and their families.

Full text of the bill can be found here.