Atlantic County Times

Washington, DC - Congressman Van Drew has introduced the Protect American Widows Act, a new legislative proposal aimed at easing the financial burden faced by grieving widows. The bill seeks to extend the period during which widows can file their taxes as a surviving spouse from two years to five years.

In a statement regarding the bill, Congressman Van Drew emphasized the importance of providing extended financial relief to widows, stating, "This expansion of financial relief can make all the difference to those trying to navigate the loss of their loved one. Our fellow Americans deserve empathy and compassion, and two years is just not enough time to financially recover from such a deep loss. By extending the timeline of this relief, we are easing the financial pressure of these grieving spouses and lifting some of the weight off their shoulders."

The proposed legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow widowed spouses to file as a surviving spouse for five taxable years, enabling them to utilize the married filing jointly tax rate. The bill is set to apply to returns filed for taxable years following December 31st, 2023.

It is noteworthy that the Protect American Widows Act was developed in collaboration with a group of widows from South Jersey who approached Congressman Van Drew with the proposal. Those interested in reviewing the full text of the bill can access it by clicking here.