U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is leading a bipartisan effort to support survivors of domestic violence through the newly introduced SAFE Tax Filing Act of 2025, aimed at removing tax-related barriers for victims of spousal abuse or abandonment.

Co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Joni Ernst (R-IA), the Survivors Assistance for Fear-free and Easy Tax Filing (SAFE) Tax Filing Act allows survivors to file taxes independently, without needing to contact their abuser which is a critical step in preventing further harm and economic coercion.

“We can and should do everything we can to make life easier for survivors of domestic abuse,” Fetterman said. “This bill allows survivors to get the biggest refund they can under law, without being forced to contact their abusers. It’s really the least we can do.”

Current tax laws often force survivors to choose between filing jointly with an abuser or accepting a financially disadvantageous “Married Filing Separately” status. The SAFE Tax Filing Act would grant eligible survivors the option to file as unmarried, helping them maintain financial independence and safety.

The bill is backed by a wide range of domestic violence prevention organizations, including the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, and United Way of Pennsylvania.

The legislation is currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate.

Fetterman and co-sponsors urge swift action to ensure survivors are not penalized by the tax code for leaving an abusive situation.