HILL TAX BRIEFING: Virus Panic Prompts Trump Call for Tax Relief

The government is planning a series of tax relief measures as the spread of the new coronavirus worsens in the U.S., some of which President Donald Trump laid out last night.

Trump said he will instruct the Treasury Department to defer tax payments—without interest or penalty—for certain individuals and businesses. He also called on Congress to provide “immediate payroll tax relief,” a policy option that has so far been met with a tepid response from lawmakers on both sides.

“Hopefully they will consider this very strongly,” Trump said.

The moves come as lawmakers and Treasury were facing ...