APLU Hails IRS Decision Not to Tax CARES Act Emergency Aid to Students

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today issued the following statement applauding the Internal Revenue Service’s determination that emergency grant aid provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security is not taxable.

“We applaud the IRS’s decision to not tax emergency grant aid to college students under the CARES Act. APLU was proud to work with the higher education community to urge the Department of Treasury and Congress to clarify that emergency aid is not subject to taxation. Many students and their families are facing great financial hardship due to COVID-19 and every dollar in emergency aid makes a difference. The last thing they needed was a tax bill at the end of the year for the emergency relief they received in the spring. Thankfully, the IRS was able to make this determination without legislative action. We thank the Department of Treasury for its quick action on this issue.”