Washington (Feb. 7, 2003) -- The Senate Finance Committee is offering some solace to the grieving families of the Columbia space shuttle crew in the form of a tax break.
Under legislation approved Wednesday by the Finance Committee, the families will not owe federal tax on any income earned for this year or 2002. Also exempt from taxation is any death benefit paid by the government in connection with the accident. Additionally, the legislation provides estate tax relief for those who flew aboard the shuttle.
The bill was designed to give families of the astronauts the same tax breaks provided to families of military personnel who die in the line of duty, victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and victims of the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City.
-- Electronic Accountant Newswire staff
