This bill proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by creating a new section, 139M, which would exclude qualified strike benefits from an individual's gross income . This aims to make financial assistance received by workers during labor disputes non-taxable. Specifically, "qualified strike benefits" are defined as compensation provided by a tax-exempt labor organization to its members. This compensation must serve as a replacement, in whole or in part, for wages lost due to a strike, lockout, or work stoppage arising from a labor dispute or under the Railway Labor Act. The legislation also makes a conforming amendment to section 32(c)(2)(B)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring proper treatment under the Earned Income Tax Credit. These changes are slated to take effect for any compensation received after December 31, 2026.
This bill proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by creating a new section, 139M, which would exclude qualified strike benefits from an individual's gross income . This aims to make financial assistance received by workers during labor disputes non-taxable. Specifically, "qualified strike benefits" are defined as compensation provided by a tax-exempt labor organization to its members. This compensation must serve as a replacement, in whole or in part, for wages lost due to a strike, lockout, or work stoppage arising from a labor dispute or under the Railway Labor Act. The legislation also makes a conforming amendment to section 32(c)(2)(B)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring proper treatment under the Earned Income Tax Credit. These changes are slated to take effect for any compensation received after December 31, 2026.