Pulaski Times

Rep. French Hill, representing Arkansas's 2nd Congressional District and Co-Chair of the Hostage Task Force in the House, has expressed his support following the passage of H.R. 9495 by the House. The bill, known as the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, includes language proposed by Rep. Hill to provide financial relief to Americans who have been wrongfully detained abroad.

Rep. Hill stated, "After suffering an unfathomable experience as a hostage or wrongful detainee, the last thing Americans who were held against their will should receive is a notice from their own government telling them they owe penalties for taxes missed under circumstances far beyond their control. I am proud that this legislation eases that burden and corrects a crucial gap in our laws that punishes these Americans by burdening them with penalties and fines from the IRS after they return home."

The bill seeks to address several financial issues faced by American hostages upon their return. It postpones tax deadlines, refunds late penalties, and exempts forgiven debts from taxation for those wrongly or illegally detained abroad. Additionally, it authorizes the IRS to revoke tax-exempt status from any American nonprofit found to be providing material support to terrorist groups.