Relief for Hostages Facing IRS Penalties Bogs Down in Congress

A bipartisan common sense idea—that US citizens held hostage shouldn’t be on the hook for unpaid taxes—is bogged down in partisan squabbling in Congress.

Senate legislation introduced by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) postpones certain tax filing deadlines for US nationals and their spouses, and provides relief for people who were detained and paid penalties. If Congress doesn’t take action, penalties and fines will keep piling up for people unlawfully detained as another tax season comes and goes.

“Given the fast-approaching end of this Congressional term, we fear that unless Congress acts, several dozen innocent Americans who have endured unjust captivity ...