Senators have introduced bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for survivors of domestic abuse to file their taxes without fear of being forced to contact their abusers.
The Survivors Assistance for Fear-free and Easy Tax Filing (SAFE Tax Filing) Act of 2025 would allow spousal abuse survivors to file their taxes as if they are unmarried.
Currently, laws require survivors to either file their taxes jointly with their abuser, or to file as “married filing separately,” a disadvantageous status that could reduce their tax refund.
The legislation would end the requirement that survivors must contact their abusers to get the biggest tax refund for which they are eligible to support themselves and their families.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Joni Ernst of Iowa.
“We can and should do everything we can to make life easier for survivors of domestic abuse,” Mr. Fetterman said. “I’m proud to partner with Senators Cornyn, Cortez Masto, and Ernst to introduce this bill to allow survivors to file their taxes and receive the biggest refund they can under law, without being forced to contact their abusers.”
Ms. Ernst added: “I’m honored to stand up for survivors of domestic violence and ensure they aren’t trapped or penalized by the tax code through the SAFE Tax Filing Act. This bipartisan bill offers a commonsense path to ensure the system works for survivors, not against them.”
The SAFE Tax Filing Act is endorsed by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice, Futures Without Violence, and Just Solutions.
“The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), and the more than 66,000 enrolled agents (EAs) we represent, would like to express our support for the SAFE Tax Filing Act, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain abused or abandoned spouses to file as unmarried or heads of household,” said Jennifer MacMillian, president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents.
Mr. Cornyn said, “Survivors of abuse have endured unimaginable adversity and deserve financial freedom.”
“By allowing victims of domestic violence to file taxes independently, this legislation would empower survivors and give them a renewed sense of agency and self-worth on their path to healing,” he said.
“Survivors of domestic violence should not have to worry about contacting their abuser – putting themselves and their children at risk of serious physical harm — just to file their taxes,” Ms. Cortez Masto said. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help keep Nevada families safe and help survivors on the road to recovery.”
