U.S. Reps Steve Woman (R-AR) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) introduced legislation that would eliminate the tax burden on the Basic Needs Allowance paid to military members.
The legislation would ensure service members keep all of the entitlement benefits they have earned, the law makers said of their BNA Fairness Act.
“Providing a supplement to support military families and taxing that benefit doesn’t make sense,” Womack said. “The BNA should be treated just like any other military benefit outside of earned income… This allowance—especially without the tax burden—is a combat multiplier.”
Specifically, the legislation amends the tax code to exclude BNA benefits, to put those payments in line with the tax status of other military benefits like the Basic Allowance for Housing, and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence, the congressmen said.
“It is simply unacceptable for servicemembers and their families, who already make many sacrifices for our country, to then struggle to put food on the table or make ends meet,” Moulton said. “By treating the Basic Needs Allowance like other military benefits, this bill provides critical relief to service members and their families. As we keep working to improve quality of life across the military community, I’m very proud today to co-lead this bipartisan effort.”
If passed, the legislation would allow military families to keep more of the benefit which would support their family’s ability to purchase groceries, as well as alleviate financial burdens and ensure military members can focus on their mission, officials said.
The legislation is supported by the Arkansas Council of Chapters (COC) of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Additionally, the bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA).