GOP State Lawmakers Call for President Biden to Exempt Middle-Class Tax Refunds from Federal Income Tax

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.