THE GULF WAR: The Home Front : Income Tax Relief

The House unanimously passed a bill Wednesday extending the TAX FILING DEADLINE for U.S. personnel involved in the Gulf War. The bill allows for the filing of tax returns six months after taxpayers leave the gulf. President Bush recently issued an executive order granting the extension for troops and others in Operation Desert Storm, but the House bill applies the extension to all personnel in the gulf since the Iraqi invasion last August. The bill still requires Senate approval. Current law exempts from federal tax all the income earned by enlisted personnel while serving in combat and up to $500 of the pay received by officers in combat.