by Emily Luxen
COLUMBIA, Tenn.—The family of a marine killed in Afghanistan battles the IRS and fights back for other military families.
When Lance Corporal Andrew P. Carpenter lost his life in Afghanistan on February 19,2011, his family was left to pay tens of thousands of dollars in his student loans. While the debt was forgiven, the IRS claimed the loan counted as taxable income and they still owed money. Kevin and Cindy Carpenter fought back.
"I've never had to ask for help, but I had to help because it was a large amount of money," said Cindy Carpenter.
She reached out to U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlias, and together they came up with the Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act. The bill would keep student loans from being categorized as taxable income for military families.
"It's important to me because it is not right for families who have sacrificed so much to pay taxes on loans that were forgiven," said Rep. DesJarlais.
The Carpenters and Rep. DesJarlais said they hope the bill helps lessen the burden on other military families.
"This bill needs to pass because it would help so many people," said Cindy Carpenter.
"I know numerous families would benefit from this legislation," said Rep. DesJarlias, " I look forward to hearing the stories about those folks."
Rep. DesJarlias is hopeful the bill will move forward quickly. He said it has already received bipartisan support, and could be signed into law within a matter of months.
The Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act would have a retroactive effective date of October 7, 2001. The start of Operation Enduring Freedom.
