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Session: State Capitol, Room 411 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2689 Fax: (907) 465-3472 Send E-Mail Interim: 345 W Sterling Highway, Suite 102 Home, AK 99603 Phone: (907) 235-2921 Fax: (907) 235-4008 |
| For Immediate Release: May 10, 1999 | |
| Contact: | Representative Gail Phillips at (907) 465-2689. |
Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Monday unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 20, sponsored by Representative Gail Phillips (R-Homer), which asks Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986 to eliminate the so-called "marriage tax penalty."
HJR 20, which previously passed the House, also unanimously, emphasizes the Alaska Legislature's support for removing the discriminatory language from the Internal Revenue Code. HJR 20 also asks that the income tax rates paid by married couples be no higher and the standard deduction no lower than that of two single individuals.
"Married couples have paid a higher tax rate and have received a lower standard deduction than two single individuals would for the past 28 years," said Phillips. "Nearly 21 million married couples paid an average of $1,400 more in taxes because of the marriage penalty in the past year, alone."
By amending the tax code to remove this odious and counterproductive penalty, Congress can demonstrate its willingness to honor the institution of marriage, rather than penalize it," Phillips said. "The Federal government is projected to run a surplus of $1.6 trillion over the next ten years, so this presents a real opportunity for Congress to cut taxes for hard-working Americans."