Hirono Statement on IRS Decision to Not Tax Emergency Reimbursements for Residents Impacted by Red Hill Fuel Leaks

HONOLULU, HI – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, released the following statement after the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced its decision to not tax emergency reimbursements made to residents impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks:

“I am glad the IRS has heeded our calls not to tax the emergency relief the people and families impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks received. This relief helped keep people housed and fed during the Red Hill disaster, and taxing it would have been unjust and unacceptable. I’m glad the IRS made the right decision, and I will continue working to support those impacted by the Red Hill fuel leaks and ensure the safe and timely defueling and closure of Red Hill.”

The decision from the IRS follows two letters Senator Hirono sent to the agency, urging them to take action to ensure individuals and families impacted by the fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility are not required to pay taxes on emergency reimbursements they received for expenses incurred as a result of the leaks. Last month, Senator Hirono sent a letter to Douglas O’Donnell, Acting Commissioner of the IRS and also joined a letter sent by all four members of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Senator Hirono is working closely with DOD leadership, community leaders in Hawaii, and her Senate colleagues to help ensure the safe and timely defueling and closure of Red Hill. In December 2022, she secured $1 billion in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act for defueling and closing Red Hill. She also joined the Hawaii delegation in calling for a congressionally-initiated independent investigation into how DOD and the Navy responded to PFAS-based contamination events at Red Hill. In November 2022, Senator Hirono led a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding information about DOD support for families and individuals impacted by the November 2021 fuel release. In April 2022, she hosted Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) in Hawaii for a tour of Red Hill.

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