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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Fair Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Redesignates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Internal Revenue Code of 2007. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23 percent in 2009, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for state government functions. Sets forth rules relating to: (1) the collection and remittance of the sales tax; and (2) credits and refunds. Allows families a sales tax rebate.Grants states the primary authority for the collection [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Budget.

Bill Text
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2009-FY2012. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2008-FY2012, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY2008-FY2012. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Education and Labor: (4) Energy and Commerce; (5) Financial Services; (6) Foreign Affairs; (7) the Judiciary; (8) Natural Resources; (9) Transportation and Infrastructure;[...]

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Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage, and for other purposes. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent accelerated cost recovery provisions for qualified leasehold improvement and restaurant property; (2) permit certain small businesses with gross receipts of not more than $10 million to use cash accounting methods and be exempt from the requirement of using inventories; (3) allow employers the work opportunity tax credit for hiring certain restaurant workers between the ages of 16 and 20; (4) set forth a definition and rules for evaluating the economic substance [...]

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Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To allow seniors to file their Federal income tax on a new Form 1040S.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available a new Federal income tax Form 1040S (similar to Form 1040EZ) to individuals who have turned 65 as of the close of the taxable year. Allows the form to be used even if income includes: (1) social security benefits; (2) distributions from qualified retirement plans, annuities, or other such deferred payment arrangements; (3) interest and dividends; or (4) capital gains and losses.

Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E130)

Bill Text
To terminate the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Tax Code Termination Act - Terminates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 2010, except for self-employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, and Railroad Retirement taxes.

Declares that any new federal tax system should be a simple and fair system that: (1) applies a low rate to all Americans; (2) provides tax relief for working Americans; (3) protects the rights of taxpayers and reduces tax collection abuses; (4) eliminates the bias against savings and investment; (5) promotes economic growth and job creation; and (6) does not penalize marriage or families.

Requires that the new federal tax system be approved by Congress in its final form by July 4, 2010.

 
Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Fair Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Redesignates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Internal Revenue Code of 2007. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23% in 2009, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for state government functions. Sets forth rules relating to: (1) the collection and remittance of the sales tax; and (2) credits and refunds. Allows families a sales tax rebate.Grants states the primary authority for the collection [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5101-5102)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide taxpayer protection and assistance, and for other purposes. 4/25/2007--Introduced. Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make grants for tax return preparation clinics for low-income taxpayers; (2) allow enrolled agents licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to use designation of "EA" or "E.A."; (3) regulate and test paid income tax preparers; (4) contract for the development or administration of examinations for paid income tax preparers; (5) require the registration of refund anticipation loan facilitators; and (6) award demonstration project grants to assist low-income taxpayers without bank accounts to obtain such accounts with federally-insured depository institutions.Establishes in the IRS the Office of Professional Responsibility to administer the regulation of paid [...]

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Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5580)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to increase the retirement security of women and small business owners, and for other purposes. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Women's Retirement Security Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain small employers who do not provide retirement plans for their employees to allow eligible employees to participate in a payroll deposit individual retirement account arrangement (automatic IRA); (2) expand eligibility for the tax credit for retirement savings contributions (saver's credit) and make such credit refundable; (3) allow certain part-time employees to participate in qualified cash or deferred arrangements; (4) allow the transfer of up to $500 of unused health plan benefits to qualified retirement plans; (5) treat wage replacement income (e.g., disability pay or unemployment compensation) as earned income for purposes of IRA contribution limits; [...]

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Latest Action: 04/18/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance taxpayer protections and outreach. 4/17/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax administration and taxpayer protections. (Sec. 2) Allows married couples who file a joint tax return to elect to conduct their business activities as a qualified joint venture without being treated as a partnership. Defines "qualified joint venture" as a trade or business entity in which the only members are a husband and wife who materially participate in such venture. Allows participating spouses to conduct their individual business activities as sole proprietors and divides their items of income and expense in accordance with their respective interests in such venture. (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to notify a taxpayer of: (1) any unauthorized use of such taxpayer's identity [...]

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Latest Action: 06/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To amend title 35, United States Code, to limit damages and other remedies with respect to patents for tax planning methods.

5/17/2007--Introduced.

Prohibits a civil action and certain civil remedies against taxpayers or tax practitioners for infringement of a patent for tax planning methods.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
Honoring the life and mourning the death of John Berthoud, Ph.D.

6/24/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the leadership of John Berthoud, Ph.D, in the formulation of tax policy and his work on public policy issues, such as tax reform and economic growth, and mourns his death.

Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2977-2978)

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased accessibility to information on Federal spending, and for other purposes. 4/14/2008--Introduced. Federal Spending and Taxpayer Accessibility Act - Directs the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to create a free public Internet website that includes data for fiscal years after FY2007 and allows the user to search specified information on each federal earmark, including the intended recipient, total dollar amount, the sponsoring Member of Congress, and the status of the bill to which it is attached. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide, upon an eligible individual's request, his or her taxpayer account statement. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to include the financial outlays exceeding $25,000 of all federal agencies for fiscal years after FY2008 on the Internet website established by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. Declares that nothing in this [...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform return preparer penalty standards, delay implementation of withholding taxes on government contractors, enhance taxpayer protections, assist low-income taxpayers, and for other purposes. 4/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the standards for imposing penalties on tax return preparers for understatements of tax to require: (1) substantial authority for a position with respect to an item on a tax return if such position was not disclosed with the return; and (2) a reasonable basis for a position that was disclosed with the return. Requires tax return preparers to have a reasonable belief that a position with respect to a tax shelter or a reportable transaction (a transaction having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) will more likely than not be sustained on [...]

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Latest Action: 12/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Honoring the life and mourning the death of John Berthoud, Ph.D.

12/17/2007--Introduced.

Honors John Berthoud as a friend, mentor, colleague, and tireless warrior on behalf of taxpayers. Recognizes that his legacy will live on in the civil discourse and civic participation he fostered.

Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14491-14492, S14492-14493)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide that certain tax planning inventions are not patentable, and for other purposes.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Provides that tax planning inventions are not patentable. Defines a "tax planning invention" as a plan, strategy, technique, scheme, process, or system to reduce, minimize, avoid, or defer tax liability or to facilitate compliance with tax laws, excluding tax preparation software and other tools or systems used solely to prepare tax or information returns.

Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Committee on Finance. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Baucus. With written report No. 110-228. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and to extend the financing for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes. 11/13/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)American Infrastructure Investment and Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Airport And Airway Trust Fund Provisions And Related Taxes - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through FY2011 the excise taxes on aviation fuels and the transportation of persons and property by air.(Sec. 102) Extends through FY2011 the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.(Sec. 103) Imposes an excise tax on aviation-grade kerosene of 35.9 cents per gallon (4.3 cents per gallon for fuel used in commercial aviation). (Sec. 104) Increases to $16.[...]

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Latest Action: 12/26/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 12/26/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 - Division A: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates FY2008 funds for the following Department of Agriculture (Department) programs and services: (1) Office of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary); (2) Office of the Chief Economist; (3) National Appeals Division; (4) Office of Budget and Program Analysis; (5) Homeland Security Staff; (6) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (7) Office of the Chief Financial Officer; (8) Office of the Assistant Secretary for [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - For Further Action See H.R.6.

Bill Text
To reduce the Federal Government's contribution to global warming through measures that promote efficiency in the Federal Government's management and operations, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Reported to House amended, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007 - Title I: Federal Government Inventory and Management of Greenhouse Gas Emissions - (Sec. 101) Requires federal agencies, annually, to inventory and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Requires each inventory and report to indicate as discrete categories: (1) any direct emission of GHG as a result of an agency's activity; and (2) the quantity of indirect GHG emissions attributable to the generation of electricity used by the agency and commercial air travel by agency personnel; and (3) the quantity of GHG emissions associated with the work performed for the agency by federal contractors, comprising direct and indirect emissions associated with [...]

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Latest Action: 06/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To amend title 35, United States Code, to limit damages and other remedies with respect to patents for tax planning methods.

5/17/2007--Introduced.

Prohibits a civil action and certain civil remedies against taxpayers or tax practitioners for infringement of a patent for tax planning methods.