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Paulsen Introduces Legislation Supporting Families of Fallen Public Safety Officers

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) introduced legislation to ensure that death benefits paid to families of public safety officers that gave their lives in the line of duty would not be subject to federal income tax. The bill, H.R. 5767, the Don’t Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act, is a companion bill to legislation in the Senate that was introduced by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). That legislation already passed the Senate without opposition. Current IRS regulations exempt federal survivors benefits from federal income tax. However, the law is ambiguous when it comes to the taxation of state death benefits.

“Every single day police officers and firefighters in Minnesota put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Paulsen. “As recently as three months ago, we were reminded of the dangers these brave men and women face when a Mendota Heights police officer was killed in the line of duty. These officers deserve the promise that their loved ones will not face an excessive tax burdenshould they give the ultimate sacrifice.”   

The legislation has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov

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