REP. KING LEADS CHARGE TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS

Topeka B Kansas House Representative Jeff King (R-Independence) carried a bill on the House floor to exempt social security retirement benefits from state income taxes and provide property tax relief for seniors. This bill, House Bill 2264, received overwhelming approval from the Kansas House by a vote of 121-1.

By excluding social security retirement income from state income taxes, House Bill 2264 would provide Kansans with almost $19 million in tax savings.  ASeniors are squeezed between the rising cost of health care and their high taxes.  I carried House Bill 2264 to help ease the tax burden faced by seniors and eliminate the state income tax on social security benefits,@ said Rep. King.

This bill also provides property tax relief for seniors through the Homestead Property Tax Relief Act.  House Bill 2264 excludes social security retirement benefits from consideration under the Homestead Act.  By doing so, the bill provides over $16 million in new property tax relief for seniors who (not including social security benefits) earn less than $27,600 per year. 

AKansas property taxes are some of the highest in the country,@ according to Rep. King. AThis tax burden is hard on all Kansans, but especially on fixed-income seniors.  I=m glad that the House has taken this step to provide these Kansans with real property tax relief.@

House Bill 2264, as amended by the Kansas House, also would increase the earned income tax credit for low-income Kansans from 15 to 20 percent.  This provision, if adopted, would provide an additional $19 million in tax relief for working Kansas families.   The proposed legislation now goes to the Kansas Senate for possible action.

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