Rep. Goodwin: Tax relief for wildfire victims passes Senate

REPRESENTATIVE GOODWIN, HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS COMMENDS SENATE FOR PASSAGE OF FEDERAL DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT
BY Oregon State Representative Republican Caucus,

SALEM, Ore. – Representative Christine Goodwin (R-Canyonville) praised the Senate passage of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, landmark legislation that builds upon her pioneering efforts in the Oregon State Legislature to protect disaster survivors from burdensome taxation.

“Today marks a victory for common-sense governance and fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Goodwin. “When I first wrote Oregon’s framework for wildfire disaster tax relief, I did so with the belief that government should not profit from the misfortune of its citizens. It took Rep. Jami Cate and I many years to get the bill over the line here in Oregon; I’m happy to see similar efforts happen so swiftly at the Federal level.”

The legislation exempts wildfire relief payments from federal income taxes and streamlines the process for claiming disaster-related losses. Most significantly, it allows affected taxpayers to reclaim taxes paid on wildfire settlements since 2020, representing an estimated $512 million that will be returned to the rightful hands of disaster survivors.

“This is how conservative governance works,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). “Removing bureaucratic barriers, preventing government overreach, and ensuring that hardworking Americans keep more of their own money when they need it most. When disaster strikes, victims shouldn’t face a second catastrophe from the IRS.”