Amata Is Original Cosponsor of the Military Spouse Tax Act

News Release from Rep Aumua Amata, R-AS, July 29, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is an original cosponsor of the Military Spouse Tax Act, introduced Wednesday by five Members of Congress to relieve an unnecessary tax burden on military families.

The bill, led by Representative Madison Cawthorn, would expand current law to support veteran's spouses by allowing the military spouse to keep their home domicile for state income tax purposes. Allowing the military spouse to keep their home domicile for state income purposes if they choose gives their family financial stability and streamlines unnecessary red tape. In addition to Rep. Cawthorn of North Carolina, original cosponsors are Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen of American Samoa, Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, and Rep. Tracey Mann of Kansas. 

“Our men and women in the Armed Forces serve the nation by uprooting their lives and going wherever the military stations them, and this often includes spouses,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We want to support and help them during their service, and it makes sense to allow military spouses to choose their home for tax purposes if they want, even when stationed elsewhere.”

Rep. Cawthorn released the following statement, "We must never forget or overlook the incredible sacrifice of military families, especially military spouses. These families uproot their lives in service to our nation and help preserve the freedoms we know and love. This bill is a step closer to doing our absolute best as lawmakers to provide the best form of representation to support veteran's spouses." 

“When a family member serves, that entire family makes sacrifices,” said Rep. Mann. “Not only does the Military Spouse Tax Act honor our heroes by eliminating bureaucratic red tape around their service – treating them with the respect they deserve, but it also lets military spouses maintain a stable place of residence – simplifying their lives and their tax returns. I look forward to its swift passage in both the U.S. House and Senate.”

“We should be doing everything we can to make the lives of our service members and their families easier,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “Giving them flexibility on their taxes is a simple way to help. I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce this commonsense bill.”

“Military spouses are the keystone of military families. The love, stability, and support they provide buoy our servicemen and women whose difficult sacrifices make possible the defense of our country. They require our support,” said Rep. Jim Banks. “That’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor The Military Spouse Tax Act. Current law forces military spouses to give up their home state for tax filing purposes, often putting them at a disadvantage. This bill ensures that military spouses have the same flexibility when filing taxes as the servicemember to whom they are married.”

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