WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a co-chair of the bipartisan Senate RV Caucus, announced his support for the Travel Trailer and Camper Parity Act. The legislation would amend the tax code to extend the same tax treatment for towable recreational vehicles (RV) as motorized RVs currently enjoy – correcting an imbalance created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

“The day I left office as Governor in 2003, my wife and I departed with our two children in a 40-foot RV for the next five and a half months to set forth on a great adventure. On that trip, we participated in a tradition going back generations and witnessed the majesty of American through our windshield,” said Senator King. “This bill seeks to level the playing field for travelers in the tax code, whether they choose to purchase a motorized or non-motorized RV. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created a false distinction between the two, and this bill seeks to restore fairness in the tax code by granting them the same treatment.”

The tax legislation passed in December 2017 only applies favorable tax treatment to self-propelled vehicle inventory loan interest paid by RV dealers, and excludes non-motorized RV travel trailers from similar treatment – despite the fact that approximately 85% of RVs sold are non-motorized travel trailers. As a result, an entire class of recreational vehicles is disadvantaged by the tax code. This is particularly problematic for dealerships who must now adopt a different set of accounting rules for non-motorized trailers and motorized homes.

Senator King consistently seeks tax fairness and responsible practices – working to ensure taxpayers are not overwhelmed with the new requirements and consequences of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was passed in December 2017. Earlier this month, he joined a group of his Senate colleagues to introduce the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide financial relief for the families of U.S. servicemembers who have died while on active duty. The bill would reverse a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to ensure that Gold Star children who receive Survivor Benefit Plan income are taxed at their individual income rate, and not at far higher trust rates.

On Tax Day, Senator King met with tax professionals, advocates, and clients to discuss ways to help low-income Maine people navigate the complexities of tax season, that same day he sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting sufficient funding for the IRS so that the agency can focus on taxpayer assistance and appropriate enforcement. Earlier in April, he wrote a letter challenging the IRS to refocus its limited resources away from disproportionately auditing lower-income households who utilize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Also in April, he cosponsored the Working Familes Tax Relief Act, legislation that would cut taxes for people and families by expanding the EITC and Childcare Tax Credit (CTC). The bill would benefit 400,000 Maine people, including 164,000 children. In March, he wrote a weekly column updating Maine people on the details and concerns he had been receiving surrounding the impact of the new tax law, and urged Maine people to reach out to their local Taxpayer Advocate with questions. Also in March, the IRS announced it would reopen the Bangor Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) following a letter that Senator King sent with Senator Susan Collins and Congressman Jared Golden stressing the importance of the Bangor TAC’s service to rural Maine people.

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