Budget & Taxes (Revenue · Seniors)

HR 1040, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, would stop taxing Social Security benefits for seniors by repealing the current tax rule that includes some benefits in gross income. It directly affects senior citizens who currently pay federal income tax on portions of their Social Security payments. The bill adds a provision stating Section 86 of the tax code (which taxes Social Security benefits) no longer applies after enactment. To offset the lost tax revenue, the bill requires the government to appropriate funds to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement trust funds, ensuring they remain fully funded without requiring tax increases.

This bill eliminates federal income tax on Social Security benefits for seniors. It repeals the current tax treatment of Social Security payments by amending the Internal Revenue Code, meaning seniors receiving benefits would no longer pay taxes on those payments. To protect Social Security trust funds from revenue loss, the bill appropriates funds from the Treasury equal to the lost tax revenue each year. The legislation explicitly states Congress does not intend to use tax increases to cover these costs.