CONGANALYTICS
Bills/HR 9496
HR 9496Passed Senate

End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act

Legislative Progress
Introduced
Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Both Chambers
Enacted
SummaryReported to House
2026-09-08

End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act This bill extends certain federal tax deadlines for U.S. nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad and their spouses. The bill also allows for an abatement and refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed to such individuals for failing to meet a federal tax deadline during a period of detention. Specifically, under the bill, the time period during which a U.S. national is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad is disregarded in determining certain federal tax deadlines, including deadlines for filing a return for and paying federal income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes; a tax credit or refund claim; and the determination, assessment, and collection of additional taxes, interest, or penalties. The bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Justice to annually provide the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with lists to identify U.S. nationals who qualify for an extension. The bill also requires the IRS to (1) abate and refund additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention for which an extension of a federal tax deadline is permitted; and (2) establish a program allowing U.S. nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage abroad (or their spouse or dependent) to claim a refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention from 2021 to the bill’s enactment date.

1 earlier version
Introduced in House · 2026-06-29

End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act This bill extends certain federal tax deadlines for U.S. nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad and their spouses. The bill also allows for an abatement and refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed to such individuals for failing to meet a federal tax deadline during a period of detention. Specifically, under the bill, the time period during which a U.S. national is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad is disregarded in determining certain federal tax deadlines, including deadlines for filing a return for and paying federal income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes; a tax credit or refund claim; and the determination, assessment, and collection of additional taxes, interest, or penalties. The bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Justice to annually provide the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with lists to identify U.S. nationals who qualify for an extension. The bill also requires the IRS to (1) abate and refund additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention for which an extension of a federal tax deadline is permitted; and (2) establish a program allowing U.S. nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage abroad (or their spouse or dependent) to claim a refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention from 2021 to the bill’s enactment date.

Text Versions4 versions
VersionDateFormats
Referred in Senate2026-09-16T04:00:00Z
Engrossed in House2026-09-15T04:00:00Z
Reported in House2026-09-08T04:00:00Z
Introduced in House2026-06-29T04:00:00Z
Introduced2026-06-29
119th Congress
Cosponsors2
Co-sponsoring members
Policy AreaTaxation
Primary subject
Last Action2026-09-30
Passed Senate without amendment by Unani
Legislative Subjects8 total
Administrative remediesComputers and information technologyDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadInternal Revenue Service (IRS)Tax administration and collection, taxpayersTax-exempt organizationsTerrorism
Latest Action2026-09-30

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5238-5239)