UT HJR018

Utah Legislature urges Congress to eliminate all direct and indirect marriage penalties embedded in federal tax policies and assistance programs

U.S. marriage rates declined from 71% of households in 1970 to 47% in 2022, with projections that one in three young adults will not marry by age 45

A 2022 study estimated that without marriage penalties, an additional 13.7% of low-income single mothers would choose to marry each year

Resolution recommends Congress modify income caps and benefit levels to treat married couples equally, make income thresholds proportional per household member, and phase out head of household filing status while adjusting child tax credits

Copies of the resolution to be sent to Senate and House leadership and Utah's congressional delegation