U.S. Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR) and
Dan Kildee (D-MI) joined four colleagues to introduce a bill that seeks to exclude military Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) benefits from taxable income.
The BNA Fairness Act would amend the tax code and place the BNA in line with the tax status of other military benefits that include Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance for Subsistence.
“Taxing support meant to help the most vulnerable undermines the purpose,” said Womack, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) chairman. “BNA should be treated like other military benefits outside of earned income, which is exactly what this bill prescribes. This allowance is a ‘combat multiplier.’ With reduced financial pressure at home, our troops can better focus on performance and defense. I am committed to supporting our men and women in uniform.”
U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Brad Winstrup (R-OH) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) joined Womack and Kildee as measure original co-sponsors.
“Our men and women in uniform represent the best of this country, and deserve to receive the full value of their military benefits,” Kildee said. “The Basic Needs Allowance, which helps support thousands of servicemembers and their families, is not income and should not be subject to income taxes. I’m proud to work across the aisle with my friend Steve Womack on this common sense legislation to provide a tax cut for our service members and military families.”