Taxes of a state, or political subdivision thereof, may not be deducted from a seaman’s or a fisherman’s wages except for seamen on voyages between ports in the same state who have a voluntary agreement with the employer to deduct them. See 46 USC 11108. This does not mean that a seaman or fisherman is not responsible for payment of state taxes, only that such taxes cannot be deducted from wages and have to be collected by the state through other means.
The reason for this law is to prevent withholding from whatever state the seaman is in when paid.
If your employer is deducting state, or local taxes from your wages and you want to put a STOP to this practice, contact the maritime lawyers at O’Bryan Baun Karamanian.
