Rep. Vasquez Demands Clarity for Seniors After Administration’s Conflicting Claims Cause Tax Confusion

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On March 3, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)pushed for clarity and honesty for seniors on taxes on Social Security. In a letterto Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano, Rep. Vasquez requested clear answers after Congressional Republicans, White House officials, and the Social Security Administration issued conflicting claims as to whether taxes on Social Security have truly been eliminated.

Congressional Republicans and the Administration have repeatedly claimed they eliminated taxes on Social Security, but in July, the Social Security Administration issueda correction clarifying that taxes on Social Security benefits had not been eliminated. These conflicting reports have caused confusion among Americans trying to file their taxes.

In reality, seniors will still pay federal taxes on Social Security. The Republican tax law created a temporary tax deduction of $6,000 for eligible seniors through 2028 - which nonpartisan estimates indicate that fewer than halfof seniors nationwide will benefit from at all. At the same time, the Republican tax law provided permanent and massive tax breaks for billionaires and corporations, implemented crippling cuts to health care, put many rural hospitals and nursing homes at risk of closing, and raised prices for many seniors.

With tax season approaching, Rep. Vasquez is pushing for answers and clarity to protect seniors.

Watch Rep. Vasquez's Latest Video on Taxes on Social Security Here.

"America's seniors deserve honesty from their government as they plan for retirement and prepare to file their taxes," stated Rep. Vasquezin the letter.

Specifically, the Congressman's letter requests specific answers to three questions regarding taxes on social security:

• Did the One Big Beautiful Bill Act directly eliminate federal taxes on Social Security? If so, will agency guidance be corrected? If not, will administration officials commit to correcting public statements that claim otherwise?
• Are Americans still required to report Social Security income on their federal tax filings?
• Is implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act expected to accelerate insolvency of Social Security?

"New Mexico seniors work their entire lives to earn Social Security benefits. It's ridiculous that this Administration has willfully caused so much confusion by openly lying about cutting taxes on Social Security," said Vasquez. "I'm calling on the Treasury Department to straighten this out before Tax Day, and I'll always keep working to protect New Mexicans' hard-earned benefits."

Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03), John Mannion (NY-22), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and Angie Craig (MN-02) joined Rep. Vasquez in sending the letter.

"Hearing one thing and seeing another on your benefits statement is confusing, frustrating, and an unacceptable way to treat the hardworking seniors who spent their careers paying into Social Security," said Davids."I'm demanding honesty and transparency from the White House on whether or not federal taxes are being taken out of Social Security benefits due to the Republican tax bill. Kansas seniors - and seniors around the country - need clarity to plan for their future."

"Seniors need honesty from their government and clarity when it comes to their retirement and Social Security benefits. Misleading statements about the GOP tax bill have only made it harder for retirees to plan responsibly. My constituents have questions, and they deserve clear, factual answers," said Mannion."That's why I'm joining my colleagues in requesting written clarification from the Treasury Secretary and the Social Security Administration - so seniors know exactly what they owe, what has changed, and that the benefits they earned over a lifetime of work remain protected."

Vasquez has repeatedly pushed to both protect and improve Social Security benefits, including:

• Co-sponsoring the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, a bill to strengthen social security benefits for public servants.
• Condemning attacks of the Social Security Administration (SSA) from the Trump Administration, warningthat mass layoffs and service cuts will devastate seniors and working families across New Mexico and the country, particularly seniors in rural communities.
• Urgingthe SSA to address long wait times facing New Mexico seniors attempting to access their benefits.
• Meeting with Las Cruces seniorsto hear directly about how the rising costs of groceries, housing, and health care are impacting their daily lives.

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