H.R. 9254

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9254 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9254 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income any judgments, awards, and settlements with respect to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 2, 2024 Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida (for herself and Ms. Tenney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income any judgments, awards, and settlements with respect to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Tax Fairness for Survivors Act''. SEC. 2. EXEMPTING FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION PAYMENTS ALLOCABLE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS. (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting before section 140 the following new section: ``SEC. 139J. AMOUNTS RECEIVED AS JUDGMENTS, AWARDS, AND SETTLEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SEXUAL ASSAULT OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS. ``Gross income shall not include any amount received in connection with a claim of unlawful discrimination (as defined in section 62(e)) (whether by lump sum or periodic payments) as a judgment, award, or settlement (including backpay, frontpay, punitive damages, or any payments made in connection with a release of claims or to resolve, settle, or litigate claims) from-- ``(1) a dispute involving an alleged nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, as such terms are defined in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code, or similar applicable Tribal or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent, or ``(2) a dispute relating to conduct that is alleged to constitute sexual harassment under applicable Federal, Tribal, or State law.''. (b) Social Security Taxes.--Section 3121(a) of such Code is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (22), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (23) and inserting ``; or'', and by inserting after paragraph (23) the following new paragraph: ``(24) any amount received which is excludable from the gross income of the employee under section 139J.''. (c) Railroad Retirement Tax.--Section 3231(e) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(13) Amounts received as judgments, awards, and settlements with respect to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims.--The term `compensation' shall not include any amount received which is excludable from the gross income of the employee under section 139J.''. (d) Unemployment Taxes.--Section 3306(b) of such Code is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ``, or'', and by inserting after paragraph (20) the following new paragraph: ``(21) any amount received which is excludable from the gross income of the employee under section 139J.''. (e) Wage Withholding.--Section 3401 of such Code is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (22), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (23) and inserting ``, or'', and by inserting after paragraph (23) the following new paragraph: ``(24) any amount received which is excludable from the gross income of the employee under section 139J.''. (f) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting before the item relating to section 140 the following new item: ``Sec. 139J. Amounts received as judgments, awards, and settlements with respect to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims.''. (g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. <all>