Edwards signs income tax exemption for most COVID-19 relief
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed into law an exemption from state income taxes for most COVID-19-related aid programs.
Senate Bill 11 by Rep. Kirk Talbot, a River Ridge Republican, now Act 54, applies to individuals and businesses. It does not apply to unemployment benefits, which the federal government has enhanced during the pandemic.
The bill defines “COVID-19 relief benefit” as “any gratuitous grant, loan, rebate, tax credit, advance refund, or other qualified disaster relief benefit directly or indirectly provided to a taxpayer by the state or federal government,” and includes any potential relief legislation yet to be passed. Examples include the state’s Main Street Recovery Program and Critical Infrastructure Worker’s Hazard Pay Rebate.