Committee approves Markosek bill seeking tax exemptions for stimulus payments

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, announced today the House Finance Committee approved his bill to exempt COVID-19 stimulus payments from state and local taxes.

Congress issued recovery rebates under the CARES Act to help people and businesses stay afloat during the pandemic. House Bill 359 would exclude those economic stimulus payments from being considered income, making them exempt from state and local taxation.

“I believe people should be able to use every cent of their stimulus payment to offset hardships from the pandemic,” Markosek said. “This legislation would help to keep that much-needed money in the hands of those who can use it to further care for their families.”

House Bill 359 received unanimous approval at today’s House Finance Committee meeting. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.