Congressman Doug Collins Votes to Repeal Unpopular Death Tax

Press Release

Today, following national Tax Day, Congressman Doug Collins voted for the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015. H.R. 1105, which passed the House of Representatives, would repeal the widely unpopular double-taxation on Americans' inheritance.

"Family farmers in Northeast Georgia work all their lives, pay income taxes, and sometimes save enough to pass down inheritance to their children -- only to see the federal government swoop in at the worst possible time to exact another tax," said Collins. "Some even have to sell off land they've owned for generations to pay this punishing Death Tax."

Collins added that the federal government collected record taxes in 2014. "As if $3 trillion dollars isn't enough, the IRS wants to collect a relatively small amount from grieving families. I'm supporting this bill to improve their peace of mind and finances."

Citing nearly $5.8 billion of fraudulent refunds the Internal Revenue Service paid in 2013, Collins said his aim is to rein in the "out-of-control" agency. "It needs to get its own books in order, before the IRS digs deeper into Northeast Georgians' pockets. It's taxing earnings twice."

According to the Tax Foundation, two-thirds of Americans consistently oppose the Death Tax. The free-market group's research shows that repeal would benefit small businesses -- especially family-owned farms and ranches -- spur investment and create jobs.

Collins, a House Judiciary Committee member, represents Georgia's agriculture-heavy Ninth District. He voted this week for a series of Republican tax reforms, including a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, as well as bills to protect taxpayers' private information, political non-profit organizations, and charitable donations.

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