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Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-655| Senate 
| Updated: 2/20/2025
Christopher A. Coons

Christopher A. Coons

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (9)
Rick Scott (Republican)Bill Cassidy (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)David McCormick (Republican)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide significant tax relief for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad . It introduces a new section, 7511, which mandates that the period during which an individual was detained or held hostage be disregarded when determining tax deadlines, interest, penalties, or credits and refunds. These crucial provisions also extend to the spouse of the affected individual, ensuring family financial stability during such crises. To facilitate the identification of eligible individuals, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, acting through the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, are required to annually provide the Treasury Department with lists of these individuals. The Treasury Secretary must then update its databases to ensure these tax postponements are correctly applied. Importantly, any interest or penalties assessed or collected *before* an individual was officially identified as detained or a hostage must be promptly abated or refunded. The legislation further establishes a program, to be operational by January 1, 2026, allowing eligible individuals—or their spouses and dependents—to apply for refunds or abatements of interest and penalties incurred during the "applicable period," defined as January 1, 2021, to the bill's enactment date . The Treasury, in consultation with the State Department and Attorney General, must notify eligible individuals of this program within 90 days of the bill's enactment or their release. This program also extends the typical statute of limitations for refunds, ensuring that those affected can reclaim previously paid amounts.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4057
Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1679
Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act
Feb 20, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 20, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mar 5, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1868
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4057
    Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1679
    Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act


  • February 20, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 20, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • March 5, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1868
    Introduced in House

Taxation

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1868: Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-655| Senate 
| Updated: 2/20/2025
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide significant tax relief for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad . It introduces a new section, 7511, which mandates that the period during which an individual was detained or held hostage be disregarded when determining tax deadlines, interest, penalties, or credits and refunds. These crucial provisions also extend to the spouse of the affected individual, ensuring family financial stability during such crises. To facilitate the identification of eligible individuals, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, acting through the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, are required to annually provide the Treasury Department with lists of these individuals. The Treasury Secretary must then update its databases to ensure these tax postponements are correctly applied. Importantly, any interest or penalties assessed or collected *before* an individual was officially identified as detained or a hostage must be promptly abated or refunded. The legislation further establishes a program, to be operational by January 1, 2026, allowing eligible individuals—or their spouses and dependents—to apply for refunds or abatements of interest and penalties incurred during the "applicable period," defined as January 1, 2021, to the bill's enactment date . The Treasury, in consultation with the State Department and Attorney General, must notify eligible individuals of this program within 90 days of the bill's enactment or their release. This program also extends the typical statute of limitations for refunds, ensuring that those affected can reclaim previously paid amounts.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4057
Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1679
Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act
Feb 20, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 20, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mar 5, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1868
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4057
    Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1679
    Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act


  • February 20, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 20, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • March 5, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1868
    Introduced in House
Christopher A. Coons

Christopher A. Coons

Democratic Senator

Delaware

Cosponsors (9)
Rick Scott (Republican)Bill Cassidy (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)David McCormick (Republican)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Taxation

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1868: Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted