Bipartisan legislation proposed on March 5 by U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) would provide financial relief to Americans wrongfully detained or taken hostage abroad.
“After returning home, American hostages and wrongful detainees should not have to face penalties for taxes missed while held abroad,” said Rep. Hill, co-chair of the Hostage Task Force. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will correct a crucial gap in our laws that burdens these Americans with penalties and fines from the IRS after they return home.”
The congressman sponsored the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025, H.R. 1868, with three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).
If enacted, H.R. 1868 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, according to the text of the bill.
“It goes without saying that no one who has endured wrongful detention or been taken hostage abroad should face the additional trial of navigating onerous tax burdens they incurred through no fault of their own when they return,” Rep. Titus said. “This common-sense, bicameral, bipartisan legislation will eliminate that unthinkable possibility by simplifying the tax code to postpone tax deadlines and refund late fees to support wrongful detainees, hostages, and their families.”
H.R. 1868 is companion legislation to the identical S. 655, introduced on Feb. 20 by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in the U.S. Senate.