GOP to press again for end to marriage tax penalty

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Reprinted from http://archives.his.com/smartmarriages/0462.html

The Associated Press 01/02/99

WASHINGTON (AP) -- GOP leaders are vowing to continue efforts to give married
couples a tax break by ending the "marriage tax penalty" in existing law.

GOP lawmakers "will work to make elimination of the marriage tax penalty our
top tax relief priority to help families in 1999," Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Ill., said in the
party's weekly radio address Saturday.

With Weller as chief sponsor, the House last year passed legislation that
would have given some 28,000 married couples tax relief. But the measure died because the Senate never acted on it.

"Republicans believe it is wrong and unfair that today's tax code imposes
higher taxes on married working couples," Weller said.

"In fact, an average married working couple pays almost $1,400 more in taxes
than an identical couple living together outside of marriage," he added. In his district, he
said that is equal to a year's tuition to a community college or three months of day care.

Although the marriage penalty measure died, the old Congress was successful in
other efforts to provide Americans with some tax relief.

For instance, Congress enacted a $500-per-child tax credit, which Weller said
will let parents of more than 48 million children keep more of their income.

Congress also increased deductions for student loan expenses. Weller said that
will let approximately 3 million taxpayers this year deduct up to $1,500 in student loan interest costs.

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