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Thompson proposes federal tax holiday for grocery, convenience store workers

April 21, 2020

Some essential employees across the country could get some extra money in their pocket during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) introduced the Giving Retailers and Our Convenience Employees Relief Act (GROCER) Act that would give grocery and convenience store workers a federal income tax holiday. That would date back to February 15, the early stages of the pandemic in the United States, and run through June 15. The U.S. Treasury could extend the holiday an additional three months if the pandemic continues.

"Any earnings that they would have for the work that they are doing to sanitize, to stock, and to serve our communities," Thompson said. "They would not pay federal taxes."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there are more than 120,000 grocery store workers in Pennsylvania alone. Thompson's bill would cover workers who make less than $75,000 a year.

Thompson is basing the legislation off of the similar tax holiday U.S. troops receive.

"They would have more money in their pocket at the end of the day," Thompson said. "It's just a way to say thank you."

Thompson hopes the legislation will be passed on its own now. However, it could also be included in a larger stimulus package later this year.

Issues:Agriculture