United States 119th Congress Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 13 R · 7 D cosponsors

HR 715 — BNA Fairness Act

Last action — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced January 23, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 20 sponsors

    1 primary, 19 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (13 R · 7 D) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill excludes the basic needs allowance of Armed Forces members from gross income for tax purposes.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that the basic needs allowance for members of the Armed Forces is not counted as gross income. This change affects the tax obligations of those eligible for this allowance.

What this means for you
  • Workers: If you are a member of the Armed Forces, your basic needs allowance will not be taxed as gross income.

Summary

BNA Fairness ActThis bill excludes from gross income (for federal income tax purposes) the basic needs allowance received by eligible members of the Armed Forces.Under current law, members of the Armed Forces may be eligible to receive the basic needs allowance (additional monthly payment) if (1) they have completed initial training, (2) they have at least one dependent, and (3) their total household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level (based on the location and number of individuals in the household). Further, under current law, certain qualified military benefits may be excluded from gross income. However, the basic needs allowance is not included within the definition of qualified military benefits and must be included in gross income for federal tax purposes.Under the bill, the definition of qualified military benefits that may be excluded from gross income is expanded to include the basic needs allowance.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

2 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude the basic needs allowance for military members from their gross income for tax purposes.

  • 26 U.S.C. 134(b)

    (7) Basic needs allowance.--The term `qualified military benefit' includes the basic needs allowance under section 402b of title 37, United States Code (as in effect at the time of the provision of such allowance).

    This addition specifies that the basic needs allowance is a qualified military benefit, thus exempting it from gross income.

  • 26 U.S.C. 134(b)(3)(A)

    as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) and paragraphs (4) and (5) → as otherwise provided in this subsection

    This change updates the reference in the tax code to align with the new provisions concerning the basic needs allowance.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 19 co-sponsors · 527 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (19)

Not signed on (527)

527 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 527 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

taxation civil-rights veterans
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 715 do?
BNA Fairness ActThis bill excludes from gross income (for federal income tax purposes) the basic needs allowance received by eligible members of the Armed Forces.Under current law, members of the Armed Forces may be eligible to receive the basic needs allowance (additional monthly payment) if (1) they have completed initial training, (2) they have at least one dependent, and (3) their total household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level (based on the location and number of individuals in the household). Further, under current law, certain qualified military benefits may be excluded from gross income. However, the basic needs allowance is not included within the definition of qualified military benefits and must be included in gross income for federal tax purposes.Under the bill, the definition of qualified military benefits that may be excluded from gross income is expanded to include the basic needs allowance.
Who sponsors HR 715?
HR 715 is sponsored by Womack, Steve (Republican), Moulton, Seth (Democratic), Wittman, Robert J. (Republican), Mast, Brian J. (Republican), Amodei, Mark E. (Republican), LaLota, Nick (Republican), Davis, Donald G. (Democratic), Kiggans, Jennifer A. (Republican), Fallon, Pat (Republican), Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" (Republican), Turner, Michael R. (Republican), Khanna, Ro (Democratic), Mills, Cory (Republican), Hamadeh, Abraham J. (Republican), Rogers, Harold (Republican), Bice, Stephanie I. (Republican), Vindman, Eugene Simon (Democratic), Lee, Susie (Democratic), Neguse, Joe (Democratic), and Bishop, Sanford D. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 715?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced January 23, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HR 715?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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