The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Crews Tax Relief Act would expand existing military tax benefits to cover service members who operate drones and provide direct support to drone operations in combat zones. Currently, military personnel serving in designated combat zones can exclude their combat pay from federal income taxes, but this benefit does not clearly cover drone operators and their supporting intelligence or command staff. This bill clarifies that compensation for remotely piloted aircraft operations—including intelligence, targeting, and command functions directly supporting those operations—qualifies for the same tax exclusion, provided the Defense Department certifies the work supports combat operations. The change would apply to service members receiving compensation for such duties in taxable years after the bill is enacted and for active service periods after that date. This legislation affects drone operators and their support personnel serving in combat zones who would receive tax relief comparable to other combat-deployed troops.
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