GOP senator repays tax break claimed in error on DC condo

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has repaid $1,900 for a tax break she erroneously claimed on her condo in Washington, D.C., according to the Des-Moines Register.

The Register reported that Ernst had since 2016 claimed the homestead tax credit, for which members of Congress are generally not eligible in D.C.

{mosads}Ernst’s office told the newspaper that Ernst claimed the tax credit in error and that she rectified the error by writing a check to the Washington, D.C., Office of Tax and Revenue. She wrote the check on Friday, two days after the Des-Moines Register inquired about the tax break, according to the newspaper.

“Regrettably, this was an error and upon it being brought to her attention, she immediately paid back the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue,” said Ernst spokesman Brendan Conley.

David Umansky, a spokesman for the Office of Tax and Revenue, told the Register that the office couldn’t comment on the matter, making it unclear whether Ernst will face any penalties.

Ernst and her now ex-husband, Gail, have claimed the same exemption since 2016 for their home in Iowa, according to the Register.

American Bridge spokeswoman Amelia Penniman told the Register that Ernst “clearly violated the law by seeking multiple homestead deductions.”

“Millions of Iowans pay their taxes on time under penalty of law,” Penniman added. “Why is it that Senator Ernst will only pay hers when she’s caught red-handed?”