March 27,2000

Committee to Mark Up Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Thursday

WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R DE) has scheduled a mark up of marriage tax penalty relief legislation on

Thursday, March 30, 2000 at 10 a.m. in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Buildng. The House has already approved a version of marriage tax penalty relief.

The so-called "marriage penalty" is part of the income tax structure that forces two-income married couples into a higher tax bracket than two single people with the same combined income. On average, a two income working couple pays $1,500 more in income taxes annually than an unmarried couple with the same combined income.

In 1995 and 1999, Congress approved legislation granting marriage tax penalty relief. Both times President Clinton vetoed this tax cut for working couples.

Roth will release his Chairman's Mark on Tuesday.