Over 4,100 Join Rep. Gabbard’s Telephone Townhall

Over 4,100 Hawaiʻi residents joined Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in a tax-focused “telephone townhall” on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.

Local and national nonpartisan guests included:

• Molly Sherlock, Tax Policy Economist at the Congressional Research Service (CRS)
• Gayvial James, Local Taxpayer Advocate at IRS-Hawaiʻi and Pacific US Territories
• David Meisenheimer, Supervisory Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigations

The tax-focused event covered federal tax reform, resources for Hawaiʻi residents ahead of tax season, ways Hawaiʻi families can protect themselves against scams and more.

The congresswoman and guests answered questions on:

• How the proposed elimination of the state income tax deduction will impact Hawaiʻi families
• How Hawaiʻi families dealing with high cost of living will be impacted by the proposed federal tax reforms
• The timeline for tax reform to take effect if passed
• Impact of the proposed tax reform on Hawaiʻi’s seniors and graduate students
• Ways Hawaiʻi families can protect themselves from tax scams
• Resources for Hawaiʻi taxpayers, including contact information for IRS Taxpayer Advocates based in Hawaiʻi
• How constituents can get help from Rep. Gabbard’s office in dealing with the IRS and other federal agencies

Click to listen to the call.

Rep. Gabbard said:

“Hawaiʻi families are rightfully concerned about the corporate-giveaway tax bills being rushed through Congress. There is no doubt that our tax code needs reform—but it should be done in a way that is bipartisan, and that strengthens working families. Both the House and Senate have passed tax reform proposals that would provide little to no relief through temporary cuts for some in the middle class, while corporations get huge permanent tax cuts and more handouts. Our telephone townhall was an important opportunity to share the facts about what is at stake for the people of Hawaiʻi under the Republican tax proposals, as well as to share critical information and resources for Hawaiʻi taxpayers ahead of the upcoming tax season. As Congress goes to conference committee on the current tax proposals and moves closer towards a final vote, I will continue to ensure my constituents’ concerns are heard and stand against this wrong-headed legislation.”

Click here to listen to the full audio recording of this event