On behalf of the state’s taxpayers who received the Middle-Class Tax Refund, Republican lawmakers of California urge the President to exempt these payments from federal income tax. These payments may be taxable by the Internal Revenue Service. Below is a copy of their letter:
February 8, 2023
The Honorable Joseph Biden
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Biden:
Nearly 18 million Californians have received the Middle Class Tax Refund from the State of California. To their surprise, they are learning these payments may be taxable by the Internal Revenue Service.
As their elected representatives, we request that your Administration exempt these payments from federal income tax.
California officials have stated that these payments are not subject to state income tax, but they “may be considered federal income.” This has caused confusion and angst among residents.
Promised as a payment to help combat soaring inflation, these limited refunds were touted as financial relief to residents — similar to the federal stimulus checks issued during the pandemic. Like the federal stimulus dollars, the refund was issued from taxes paid by Californians. Therefore, California’s Middle Class Tax Refund must be given the same federal tax exemption.
Middle class Californians should not be taxed twice on their own refunds. With tax season officially open, we ask that you act swiftly to ease Californians’ anxiety and to ensure proper compliance.
Sincerely,
Vince Fong
Assemblymember, 32nd District
Phillip Chen
Assemblymember, 59th District
James Gallagher
Assemblymember, 3rd District
Brian Jones
Senator, 40th District
Megan Dahle
Assemblymember, 1st District
Joe Patterson
Assemblymember, 5th District
Josh Hoover
Assemblymember, 7th District
Jim Patterson
Assemblymember, 8th District
Heath Flora
Assemblymember, 9th District
Juan Alanis
Assemblymember, 22nd District
Devon Mathis
Assemblymember, 33rd District
Tom Lackey
Assemblymember, 34th District
Greg Wallis
Assemblymember, 47th District
Bill Essayli
Assemblymember, 63rd District
Tri Ta
Assemblymember, 70th District
Kate Sanchez
Assemblymember, 71st District
Diane Dixon
Assemblymember, 72nd District
Laurie Davies
Assemblymember, 74th District
Marie Waldron
Assemblymember, 75th District
Brian Dahle
Senator, 1st District
Roger Niello
Senator, 6th District
Shannon Grove
Senator, 12th District
Scott Wilk
Senator, 21st District
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Senator, 23rd District
Kelly Seyarto
Senator, 32nd District
Janet Nguyen
Senator, 36th District
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Contact
Nghia.Nguyen@asm.ca.gov
916-813-8367
Assemblyman Vince Fong represents the 32nd Assembly District, which encompasses Kern and Tulare Counties.