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Committee debates exempting Social Security from Montana income tax; proponents cite fairness, opponents cite $100M price tag
Summary
Representative Ron Marshall introduced HB148 to exempt Social Security benefits from state income tax. AARP and retiree groups supported the bill; the Montana Budget and Policy Center and MFPE warned it would cost more than $100 million annually and risk state services. The Department of Revenue offered federal thresholds and agreed to provide a memo and fiscal details before executive action.
Representative Ron Marshall opened the hearing on House Bill 148, which would exempt Social Security benefits from Montana income tax and adjust definitions and applicability dates.
Kristin Page Nye of AARP Montana testified in strong support, saying Montana remains "one of eight states that still taxes Social Security benefits" and that the change would help roughly 172,000 Montana retirees, especially those on fixed incomes paying for prescriptions and Medicare premiums. Brian Thompson (Association of Montana Retired Public…
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