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P.L. 110-166, The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
Comparing revision saved on November 3, 2007, 18:31:36 (webmaster), with revision saved on January 11, 2008, 01:37:49 (webmaster):
H.R. 3996 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions.
== Detailed Summary ==
<summary>
Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax,<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the dischargeSenate on December 6, 2007. The summary of mortgage indebtedness, and tax administration and extends certain expiring tax credits, deductions, and other tax incentives.that version is repeated here.)</b>
ExtendsTax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2007:2007 for individual taxpayers: (1) offsets against the alternative minimum tax for certain nonrefundable income tax credits; and (2) increased alternative minimum tax exemptions for individual taxpayers. (AMT) exemption amounts; and
Extends through 2008 various expiring tax provisions primarily affecting individual taxpayers, including: (1) the tax deductions for state local sales taxes, for qualified tuition and related expenses, for qualified conservation contributions, for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers, and for the travel expenses of state legislators while away from home; (2) tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) the taxpayer election to include combat pay as earned income for purposesoffset of the earned income tax credit; (4) special rules for qualified mortgage bonds to finance home purchases by veterans; and (5) tax-free distributions from retirement plans for individuals called to active military service. nonrefundable personal tax credits
Extends through 2008 various expiring tax provisions primarily affecting businesses, including: (1) thefor increasing research expenses, for hiring workers on Indian reservations, for investment in new markets, for railroad track maintenance,against regular and for hiring workers in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina; (2) accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvements, for motorsports entertainment complexes, and for business property on Indian reservations; (3) expensing allowances for environmental remediation costs; (4) tax deductions for contributions of food and book inventories and for computer equipment for educational purposes; and (5) tax incentives for investment in the District of Columbia and American Samoa.AMT liability.
Extends through 2008 authorities for: (1) issuing qualified zone academy bonds; (2) making disclosures of tax information to facilitate student loan repayments and for combating terrorist activities; and (3) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) undercover operations.
Allows an exclusion from gross income for up to $2 million of the income attributable to discharges of home mortgage indebtedness incurred after January 1, 2007.
Extends through 2014 the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums.
Sets forth alternative criteria for qualifying a corporation as a cooperative housing corporation for purposes of the tax deduction for payments to such corporations.
Limits the exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of a principal residence by denying an exclusion of the gain that is allocable to a nonqualified use of such residence (i.e., use other than as a principal residence).
Repeals the authority of the IRS to enter into private debt collection contracts.
Delays until 2012 the requirement for federal, state, and local agencies to withhold 3% of payments for goods and services provided to such agencies.
Revises tax administration provisions and rules relating to: (1) tax returns of certain U.S. Virgin Island residents; and (2) the tax treatment of high-income individuals who relinquish U.S. citizenship or residency to avoid U.S. taxation (expatriates).
Repeals the 36-month suspension of interest and penalties on tax underpayments for taxpayers not notified of a tax deficiency by the IRS. Increases tax penalties for failure to file accurate tax information returns.
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that wine of the same color shall be deemed to be commercially interchangeable for purposes of the duty drawback for unused merchandise.
</summary>
<!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. -->
== Status of the Legislation ==
<status>
Latest Major Action: 11/2/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by11/14/2007: Read the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 13.second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 487.
</status>
<!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. -->
== Points in Favor ==
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== Points Against ==
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Visitor Comments
brioboy
November 8, 2007, 7:33pm (report abuse)Middle and upper middle class avoid a scheduled tax hike. Govt still needs $ to provide services. Who makes up the difference? Hedge fund managers would see the rate on just half their profit be taxed as fee for service instead of capital gain. And for this the GOP wants to fall on their swords?
Mia
November 12, 2007, 9:24am (report abuse)Congress is not serious about AMT reform. If they were they would tie it to the inflation rate. Instead they use it as a political tool - usually a sledge hammer. Vote them ALL out in '08.
Matt
November 13, 2007, 10:28pm (report abuse)Yeah!! What a way to sneak in a permanent tax increase to support a 1 year extension of the AMT exemption. Imagine, each year you get a new permanent tax by extending the "expiring" tax breaks. This is redistribution of wealth at its finest. Great job to the adherents of Karl Marx for getting the no-brain Democrats to swallow this one hook, line, and sinker.
Mat
November 15, 2007, 6:03pm (report abuse)Pathetic legislation. A ruse to disguise a tax hike for a one-year extension of a flawed tax. The AMT should be completely eliminated. Until they can figure that out, add the AMT patch without adding tax increases.
Mark
November 19, 2007, 9:43am (report abuse)It should not be legal to tax a person's time on earth, or whatever money or goods he can trade it for.
Having said that, when I look at this piece of legislation I am offended, yet again.
Where is the real reform? These political hack/socialists are pulling the bait and switch. They extend the relief, so they can talk about how their helping and get re-elected, and then stick it to us down the road.
The problem is that these @&&holes already have our money through wage garnishment. Why should they reform the system they know so well, and that insures the growth of big government and their power? Any man who votes for a Democrap gets just exactly what he deserves! Unfortunately, the same goes for Republicans in many cases. I'm fed up with these career politicians, we need real representatives.
The only answer is to select the non-incumbent in every election as long as he/she is not a socialist. Otherwise it will always be business as usual.
Elise
November 23, 2007, 8:10pm (report abuse)This includes an extension of the IRA Charitable option for individuals 70 1/2 + that is set to expire 12-31-07 for one year to 12-31-08 -- for charities providing services to the community and around the world this has been a boon - and I hope it is extended.
rnbro
November 25, 2007, 7:42pm (report abuse)Why is my 'fair share' so much more than others'? I went to college, worked hard, excelled in my profession and all the while pumped my income back into the econmy by purchasing cars and homes, etc. Now my efforts are penalized becuase of how much I earn??? They want me to pay $9500 in AMT becuase I work hard? Maybe I should get a credit for the 2:00AM calls from China and Russia...Maybe I should get a credit for travelling on weekends to make my trips more productive. Those in lower positions get OT, I get to pay more taxes!...
Richard
December 9, 2007, 9:09am (report abuse)Yes, it is amazing what congess does. Take a look at h.r. 6, Energy Bill. Tucked inside of the bill is a requirement that brokers provide the cost basis for stocks starting in 2009.
Brian
December 11, 2007, 4:09pm (report abuse)So long as the current tax system remains in effect, the wealthy will always find a way to slip through the cracks and get away with paying less than their fair share. Until we abolish ALL federal, state, and local taxation, along with the IRS and other needless bureaucracies, and replace them with a federal sales tax imposed on consumer goods and services to fund all federal, state, and local needs, the tax system will never be fair! The bulk of the tax burden will always trickle down to the struggling working class (those earning $50,000 or less per year)!
Steve
December 20, 2007, 6:47pm (report abuse)After many years of fixing up an old rental house, the wife & I sold it in September. We expected to pay a Capital Gains Tax, which we figured was fair enough. But according to our tax program, the one-time gain pushes us into the AMT, causing me to work for almost nothing (except to pay the TAX) at my regular job for a quarter of the year.
The AMT, for us, discourages both work and investment. It is also incredibly complicated. I think it will eventually ruin the entire economy.
The AMT also doesn't do what it was intended to do. See money.cnn.com/2007/07/13/news/companies/blackstone_taxes/index.htm.
I don't know how you can catch these guys and make them pay their share, but I know the AMT isn't the answer!
Congress has created a nightmare for America.