Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Durbin. With written report No. 110-417.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--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.) Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of the Treasury - Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (6) the Financial Management Service; (7) the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; (8) the U.S. Mint for the U.S.[...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5595-5597)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Energy Independence and Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various provisions relating to energy production and conservation and to individual and business-related activities.Extends through 2009 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities and through 2011 for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2014: (1) the energy tax credits for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property; and (2) the residential energy efficient property tax credit. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.Provides funding for new clean renewable energy [...]

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Latest Action: 06/09/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 771.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/6/2008--Introduced. Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, individual and business taxpayers, energy conservation, and tax administration. Extends through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liabilities; and (2) the increased AMT exemption amounts. Extends through 2009: (1) the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (2) the tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses and for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (3) tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes; and (4) tax rules for treatment of [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3156-3157)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to amend certain expiring provisions. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, individual and business taxpayers, energy conservation, and tax administration. Extends through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) increased AMT exemption amounts.Extends through 2009: (1) the election to include combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of the earned income tax credit; (2) tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans (IRAs) for individuals called or ordered to active military duty and for charitable purposes; (3) the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (4) the tax deductions for qualified tuition [...]

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Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the rules relating to the treatment of individuals as independent contractors or employees, and for other purposes.

4/15/2008--Introduced.

Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of payments of $600 or more made to corporations; (2) set forth criteria and rules relating to the treatment of workers as employees or independent contractors; and (3) increase penalties for failure to file correct tax return information or comply with other information reporting requirements.

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue an annual report on worker misclassification.

Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To provide for direct access to electronic tax return filing, and for other purposes.

4/15/2008--Introduced.

Free Internet Filing Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enable individual taxpayers to file their income tax returns directly through the Internal Revenue Service website without the use of any intermediary.

Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 596.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the enforcement of laws prohibiting the employment of unauthorized aliens and for other purposes.

3/5/2008--Introduced.

Worksite Enforcement Act of 2008 - Sets forth immigration-related worksite enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) unlawful employment of aliens; (2) disclosure of taxpayer information; (3) social security cards and identity documents; (4) establishment of a voluntary advanced verification program to allow employers to verify an employee's fingerprints in order to determine identity and work status; (5) responsibilities of the Social Security Administration (SSA); (6) immigration-related activities of the SSA and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and (7) criminal penalties for misuse of social security numbers.

Latest Action: 01/04/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the term of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

1/4/2008--Public Law.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the term of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to: (1) provide that the five-year terms for Commissioners began with the term that commenced on November 13, 1997; (2) require subsequent terms to begin on the day after the previous term expires; and (3) permit individuals appointed to complete the unexpired term of a Commissioner to be reappointed to subsequent five-year terms. Makes such amendments effective as of the enactment of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring Reform Act of 1998 (i.e., July 22, 1998).

Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) to enhance the Offices of the Inspectors General, to create a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and for other purposes. 4/23/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require Inspectors General (IGs) for designated federal entities to be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.(Sec. 3) Requires the President, the heads of designated federal entities, the Librarian of Congress, the Capitol Police Board, and the Public Printer to communicate to Congress in writing the reasons for removing or transferring an IG no later than 30 days before such removal or transfer.[...]

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Latest Action: 01/15/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To continue to prohibit the hiring, recruitment, or referral of unauthorized aliens, and for other purposes. 10/29/2007--Introduced. Combat Illegal Immigration Through Employment Verification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make employment of unauthorized aliens unlawful. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) employer document verification requirements; and (2) employment authorization and/or identity documents. Sets forth employment eligibility verification system (EEVS) provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for the disclosure of certain taxpayer identity information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assist in immigration enforcement; and (2) increase specified penalties for employer failure to provide correct information returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish within the Criminal Investigation office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a unit to investigate tax-related [...]

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Latest Action: 07/13/2007 - Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-129.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 7/13/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of the Treasury - Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) the Air Transportation Stabilization Program Account; (6) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (7) the Financial Management Service; (8) the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; (9) the U.S. Mint for the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund; (10) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (11) the Community Development Financial Institutions [...]

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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: 06/12/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To provide for enhanced protection of the Internal Revenue Service and employees of the Internal Revenue Service.

5/24/2007--Introduced.

Enhanced Protection of the Internal Revenue Service and Its Employees Act of 2007 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to eliminate the exception to the duties of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for protecting the physical security of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees.

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: 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 con