South Lake Today

Florida Congressman Daniel Webster and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie have reintroduced the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, known as H.R. 1040. This legislation aims to eliminate what is described as a double tax on Social Security benefits for middle-class seniors.

"For decades, seniors have paid into Social Security with their tax dollars. Now, when many seniors are on a fixed income and struggling financially, they are being double taxed because of income taxes on their Social Security benefits," said Rep. Webster. "This is wrong, and I’m pleased to once again co-sponsor this legislation to repeal this tax."

Rep. Massie added, "Although seniors have already paid tax on their Social Security contributions via the payroll tax, they are still required to list these benefits as taxable income on their tax returns." He further explained that his bill seeks to exempt Social Security retirement benefits from taxation, which would enhance the retirement income of millions of older Americans.

The proposal has garnered support from various quarters, including Andy Mangione, Senior Vice President of the Association of Mature American Citizens Action. Mangione stated: "Every year, millions of seniors become eligible for either Social Security or tier I railroad retirement benefits...Taxing benefits which were created from already taxed funds is nonsensical and curtails retirement benefits seniors have been promised."

The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act proposes amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove tier I railroad retirement benefits and Social Security benefits from an individual's gross income. This change aims to reduce the tax burden on seniors significantly.

The bill has attracted numerous original cosponsors including Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Ben Cline (R-VA), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Mark Green (R-TN), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Andy Harris (R-MD), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andy Ogles (R-TN), Scott Perry (R-PA), Chip Roy (R-TX), Martin Stutzman (R-IN), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Derrick Van Orden(R-WI) , Randy Weber(R-TX) ,and Tony Wied(R-WI).