WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) have introduced the bipartisan Survivors Assistance for Fear-free and Easy Tax Filing (SAFE Tax Filing) Act of 2025, a measure aimed at helping survivors of domestic abuse or abandonment file taxes independently, free from the involvement of their abusers.
Currently, the tax code forces survivors to file either jointly with their abuser or as Married Filing Separately, a status that often results in reduced refunds. The SAFE Tax Filing Act would allow survivors to file as unmarried, ensuring they can access the financial resources they are entitled to without endangering their safety.
“We can and should do everything we can to make life easier for survivors of domestic abuse,” stated Senator Fetterman. “This bill ensures survivors can file their taxes and receive the largest refund possible under the law without being forced to contact their abusers.”
The bill has garnered endorsements from numerous organizations, including the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “This legislation recognizes that survivors of abuse deserve safety, autonomy, and freedom from financial entanglement with those who’ve harmed them,” said Pamela Jacobs, CEO of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
Supporters emphasize the critical role the SAFE Tax Filing Act plays in combating economic coercion while providing survivors a path to financial independence. The National Association of Enrolled Agents also backs the measure, with Jennifer MacMillian, its president, stating, “This proposed legislation would greatly benefit abused and abandoned spouses who have not yet been legally extracted from their marriages.”
By addressing a fundamental financial barrier survivors face, advocates and legislators alike commend the bill as a significant step toward reducing the economic control of abusers and empowering survivors to rebuild their lives.
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