WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to save thousands of middle class Rhode Islanders from being hit with a higher tax bill this year, the U.S. Senate passed an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch for tax year 2008 in the Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who voted for the legislation, said it will help shield over 90,000 Rhode Islanders, and more than 20 million middle class families nationwide, from exposure to the AMT this year. The average savings per family is estimated to be about $2,000.

"I am pleased Congress was able to prevent thousands of Rhode Islanders from being hit by the alternative minimum tax this year. It is imperative that we provide tax relief for middle class families," said Reed, a member of the Banking Committee. "We need to restore fairness to the tax code and permanently reform the AMT."