[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCING THE EVACUEES TAX RELIEF ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 17, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Evacuees Tax Relief 
Act of 2005, legislation providing tax relief to those forced to 
abandon their homes because of a natural disaster. This legislation 
provides a tax credit or a tax deduction, depending on the wishes of 
the taxpayer, of up to $5,000 for costs incurred because of a 
government-ordered mandatory or voluntary evacuation. Evacuees could 
use the credit to cover travel and lodging expenses associated with the 
evacuation, lost wages, property damages not otherwise compensated, and 
any other evacuation-related expenses. The tax credit is refundable up 
to the amount of income and payroll taxes a person would otherwise pay, 
thus ensuring working people who pay more in payroll than in income 
taxes are able to benefit from this tax relief. The credit is available 
retroactive to August of this year, so it is available to Katrina and 
Rita evacuees.
  Having had parts of my district, including my home county, subject to 
mandatory evacuation because of Hurricane Rita, I have seen firsthand 
the burdens on those forced to uproot themselves and their families. 
Evacuees incur great costs in getting to safety, as well as loss from 
the storm damage. It can take many months, and even years, to fully 
recover from the devastation of a natural disaster. Given the 
unpredictable nature of natural disasters such as hurricanes and 
tornados, it is difficult for most families to adequately budget for 
these costs. The Evacuees Tax Relief Act helps Americans manage the 
fiscal costs of a natural disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, it is hard to think of a more timely and more 
compassionate tax relief proposal than one aimed at helping families 
cope with the costs associated with being uprooted from their homes, 
jobs, and communities by a natural disaster. I hope all my colleagues 
will show compassion for those forced to flee their homes by 
cosponsoring the Evacuees Tax Relief Act.

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