Taxation

Charitable Aid to Community Heroes Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2008

Charitable Aid to Community Heroes Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit charitable organizations to receive contributions on behalf of federal, state, or local government employees or members of a volunteer emergency response organization who are injured or killed while protecting life or property and to distribute such contributions to such employees or members and their family members within a specified time period.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to control spending.

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2008

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for any fiscal year (except for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding an amount that would cause outlays to have increased by a rate that exceeds growth in the U.S. economy over the period since 2007, unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific increase of outlays above this amount. Directs the President, before each fiscal year, to transmit to Congress a proposed budget for such fiscal year and all ensuing fiscal years covered by it, in which total outlays do not exceed the outlays from the previous year after taking into account an increase to reflect such average growth. Authorizes a waiver of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.

Responsible Expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

Responsible Expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program Act of 2008 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, to revise, reauthorize, and extend the SCHIP program through FY2013. Requires the state SCHIP plan to specify how it will achieve coverage for 85% of eligible targeted low-income children in the state. Prohibits payment for child health assistance for a targeted low-income child in a family whose income exceeds 300% of the poverty line. Sets forth special rules for children with family income between 200% and 300% of the applicable poverty line. Applies Medicaid citizenship documentation requirements to SCHIP. Terminates SCHIP coverage for nonpregnant adults. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the best practices by states in addressing the substitution of SCHIP coverage for private coverage (SCHIP crowd-out). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine to report to Congress on: (1) the most accurate, reliable, and timely way to measure the rate of public and private health benefits coverage among low-income children; and (2) SCHIP crowd-out. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register and post on the Department of Health and Human Services public website: (1) recommendations regarding best practices for states to address SCHIP crowd-out; and (2) uniform standards for related data collection. Requires each state with a SCHIP plan to submit to the Secretary a plan amendment describing how the state will address such SCHIP crowd-out and incorporate recommended best practices. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide that any compensation deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity shall be taken into account for purposes of income taxation when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such compensation; and (2) add special rules for partners providing investment management services to partnership.

Incentives for Older Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

Incentives for Older Workers Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to prohibit a reduction in benefits for an employee under a defined benefit pension plan who has begun a phased retirement and was employed on a substantially full-time basis during the previous 12-month period before phased retirement. Defines "phased retirement" as the period when an employee is employed on substantially less than a full-time basis or with substantially reduced responsibilities after reaching age 50 or completing 30 years of creditable service under the plan. Amends the Social Security Act to raise from 70 to 72 the age up to which inidividuals are allowed to earn delayed retirement credits for purposes of the calculation of increased old-age insurance benefit payments. Revises federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits requirements to eliminate the 50% reduction in such benefits due to an individual who claims benefits before reaching 66 years old and who continues to work. (Retains the 33 1/3% offset.) Directs the Secretary of Labor to award a grant to establish a National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce to act as a national information clearinghouse on workforce issues, challenges, and solutions for older workers. Revises Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuity computation requirements for retiring CSRS employees whose employment service includes part-time service. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to revise the composition of state and local workforce investment boards to include representatives of older individuals. Sets aside 5% of WIA funds allocated to local areas for certain adult employment and training activities for activities for older workers. Amends the IRC to expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to qualified older workers (age 55 or older whose income does not exceed 125% of the poverty line). Allows certain defined benefit pension plans to define normal retirement age as the earlier of the attainment of: (1) a specified allowed age; or (2) at least 30 years of service.

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act - Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 to lift the numerical limitations for employment based immigrants (and accompanying family members) for nurses and physical therapists until September 30, 2011, subject to a cap. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a fee upon each petitioning employer who uses such a visa to provide employment for an alien as a professional nurse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Service (HHS), acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant each fiscal year to each eligible nursing school that applies and meets specified requirements to increase the number of nursing faculty and students at the school. Establishes in the Treasury's general fund a Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) direct the Secretary to allow an eligible alien (and spouse or child) to reside in a candidate country (defined to include a lower middle income country or one experiencing a natural disaster) during the period the alien is working there as a health care worker; and (2) make inadmissible an alien seeking entry into the United States to perform labor as a health care worker unless the alien attests that he or she does not have an outstanding obligation to the alien's government or country of residence, subject to a waiver. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a partnership program to award grants to eligible entities to carry out comprehensive programs to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary health care workers who wish to advance their careers.

SHOP Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements. Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements. Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment. Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan. Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements. Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act. Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.

Patients' Health Care Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

Patients' Health Care Reform Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of : (1) HealthMarts, which are nonprofit organizations that offer health benefits coverage to employers, employees, and individuals through contracts with health insurance issuers; and (2) individual membership associations (IMAs), which are organizations that offer health benefits coverage to members through health insurance issuer contracts. Requires the Secretary of Heath and Human Services to pay 50% of a state's costs to provide health benefits coverage under a high-risk pool, a reinsurance pool, or other risk-adjustment mechanisms used to subsidize the purchase of private health insurance. Small Business Access and Choice for Entrepreneurs Act of 2007 [ sic ]- Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans, which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals with a tax credit for payments for qualified health insurance and allows the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments of the credit to providers. Excludes from gross income any compensating coverage payment made by an employer to an employee who elects not to participate in the employer's subsidized health plan. Requires health insurance issuers offering coverage in connection with a group health plan to provide certain information to the administrator of the plan, including information regarding: (1) plan benefits and exclusions; (2) a participant's financial responsibilities; and (3) legal recourse options for participants and beneficiaries.

High Skilled Per Country Level Elimination Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

High Skilled Per Country Level Elimination Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants; (2) increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants; (3) establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus the previous year's unused visas; and (4) establish the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 minus the number of certain aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations plus the previous year's unused visas. (States that such annual level shall not be less than 226,000.)

RIPE Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008

Remove Incentives for Producing Ethanol Act of 2008 or the RIPE Act of 2008 - Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the renewable fuel standard. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the excise tax credit for alcohol fuel mixtures and the income tax credit for alcohol used as fuel. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty free treatment for ethyl alcohol or a mixture containing ethyl alcohol if it is to be used as fuel. Applies such treatment to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouses for consumption, on or after the 15th day after this Act's enactment.

[H.A.S.C. No. 110-165]FISCAL YEAR 2009 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT--BUDGET REQUEST ON THE ROLE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES IN NATIONAL SECURITY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 24 April 2008

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 24 April 2008

Small Business Capitol Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Small Business Capitol [ sic ] Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers whose average annual gross receipts over a three-year period do not exceed $5 million an election to expense up to $125,000 of the cost of depreciable real property.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a permanent zero percent capital gains rate for individuals and corporations.

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, on a permanent basis, a zero percent tax rate for the net capital gains of individuals and corporations for purposes of the regular and alternative minimum tax. Eliminates the terminating date in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (i.e., December 31, 2008) for provisions that reduce the capital gains tax rate for individuals.

Iraq Shared Investment Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Iraq Shared Investment Act - Requires that amounts made available under the Iraq Security Forces Fund shall be provided as loans subject to full repayment to the U.S. government. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 to provide that: (1) for each of FY2008-FY2009, the Secretary of Defense shall withhold from obligation and expenditure not less than 20% of the amount made available for the Commanders' Emergency Response Program until the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that the government of Iraq has agreed to provide an amount equal to 20% of the amount made available under the Commanders' Emergency Response Program from its own resources to be used to enable military commanders in Iraq to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction requirements; and (2) if the Secretary is unable to make such certification the amount withheld from obligation and expenditure shall be available for national debt reduction.

Soledad Canyon Mine Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Soledad Canyon Mine Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to cancel Bureau of Land Management mineral contracts CA-20139 and CA-22901 and withdraw from further mineral entry the areas subject to them, which are located in Soledad Canyon adjacent to Santa Clarita, California. Requires Transit Mixed Concrete Corporation to receive, as compensation for cancellation of the contracts, their fair market value and its expenditures and covered liabilities in trying to bring the contracts into commercial production. Increases the adjusted basis of the contracts upon cancellation for federal tax purposes. Directs the Secretary, before any disposition of land, mineral or surface estate for any area located in the city of Victorville, California, to: (1) consult with the city and surface owners; and (2) prohibit mining in such area.

Eagle Employers Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Eagle Employers Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer certified as an Eagle employer by the Secretary of the Treasury a tax credit for one percent of such employer's taxable income. Defines an " Eagle employer" as any taxpayer who: (1) maintains its headquarters in the United States; (2) pays at least 60% of the health care premiums of its employees; (3) maintains or increases the number of its full-time workers in the United States relative to its full-time workers outside of the United States; (4) provides full differential salary and insurance benefits for all National Guard and Reserve employees called to active duty; and (5) provides its employees with a certain level of compensation and retirement benefits.

CARS Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008

Commuter Aid and Relief for Suburbs Act of 2008 or the CARS Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for a specified percentage of the cost of commuting between their residence and place of employment.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 23 April 2008

To recapture employment-based immigrant visas lost to bureaucratic delays and to prevent losses of family- and employment-based immigrant visas in the future.

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2008

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. Establishes the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 minus the number of certain aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. States that such annual level shall not be less than 226,000.

Partnership for Children and Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008

Partnership for Children and Families Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise the eligibility requirements for adoption assistance and foster care maintenance payments, eliminating certain income criteria. Allows each state with an approved part E plan to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) receive foster care maintenance payment savings achieved (in a "child welfare reinvestment fund") by reducing the total number of days children in the state experience in foster care during the fiscal year; and (2) use the savings to provide children with family preservation services, family support services, time-limited family reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services, and to train the staff of state and local child welfare agencies in effective service practices.

A resolution honoring the entrepreneurial spirit of the owners of small business concerns in the United States during National Small Business Week, beginning April 21, 2008.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008

Honors the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners during National Small Business Week beginning April 21, 2008. Honors the efforts and achievements of small business owners and their employees. Recognizes that small businesses are essential to restoring the country's economic health. Recognizes the vital role of Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, employees, and resource partners in providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Urges the President to ensure that: (1) reasonable rules relating to the federal contract procurement program for women-owned small businesses are expeditiously implemented; (2) small businesses have access to quality, affordable health insurance; (3) the needs of veterans and reservists who own, work for, or wish to start a business are met during deployment and upon their return from duty; (4) measures are enacted to provide a stimulus for business lending during the current economic downturn; (5) small business tax burdens and regulatory and bureaucratic barriers are reduced; (6) all federal agencies adhere to contracting goals for small businesses; (7) venture capital and small business loans are available to all qualified small businesses; and (8) necessary federal resources are provided to management assistance programs delivered by SBA resource partners. Urges that the SBA Administrator have an active role as a member of the President's Cabinet.

Combating Climate Change Through Individual Action Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008

Combating Climate Change Through Individual Action Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 30% of carbon sequestration and soil conservation expenditures made by taxpayers engaged in the business of farming; (2) 10% of qualifying planting expenditures, including expenditures for the purchase and planting of any tree, plant, shrub, or bush, and the purchase and installation of a vegetated roof system; (3) the conversion of cropland to pasture for grazing purposes or to grassland or rangeland; and (4) certain types of reforestation and afforestation of land.

Providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 2830) to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008

Sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 2830 to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes.

Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2008

Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on diesel fuel for a specified period ending on December 31, 2008. Provides for reimbusement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from this reduction in diesel fuel taxes.

Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

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 and related expenses and for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (5) authority for use of qualified mortgage bonds to finance residences for veterans; (6) provisions relating to regulated investment companies and qualified investment entities; and (7) the special rule for charitable contributions of capital gain real property for conservation purposes. Extends through 2009 various business-related tax provisions, including: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the new markets tax credit; (3) provisions relating to foreign personal holding company income; (4) accelerated deprecation for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvements, for motorsports racing track facilities, and for business property on Indian reservations; (5) the expanded tax deduction for charitable contributions of food and book inventories by noncorporate taxpayers; (6) the special rule for the tax treatment of certain payments to tax-exempt organizations by a controlled subsidiary; (7) the special rule for reductions in the basis of S corporation stock for charitable contributions of property; (8) increases in alcohol excise taxes payable to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; (9) parity provisions for group health insurance mental health benefits; (10) the economic development credit for American Samoa; (11) tax incentives for mine rescue team training and advanced mine safety equipment; (12) the expensing allowance for film and television production expenditures and for environmental remediation costs; (13) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico; (14) issuance authority for qualified zone academy bonds; (15) the Indian employment tax credit; (16) the tax credit for railroad track maintenance; and (17) work opportunity tax credit eligibility for Hurricane Katrina employees. Extends through 2009 tax credits for: (1) energy efficient appliances; (2) nonbusiness energy property; (3) residential energy efficient property; (4) producing electricity from renewable resources; (5) new energy efficient homes; and (6) investment in certain energy property and in clean renewable energy bonds. Extends through 2009 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Makes permanent the authority for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) undercover operations and combined employment tax reporting. Extends through 2009 IRS authority for disclosure of tax information relating to terrorist activities.

Research and Development Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

Research and Development Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for increasing research activities by: (1) phasing in increases in the alternative simplified tax credit rate through 2009; (2) establishing a 20% alternative simplified tax credit rate in 2010 in lieu of the standard research tax credit rate; (3) increasing the amount of basic and contract research expenses eligible for such tax credit; and (4) extending such credit through 2012.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the availability of industrial development bonds to facilities manufacturing intangible property.

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) qualify manufacturing facilities that create intangible property for tax-exempt bond financing; and (2) revise the definition of "manufacturing facility" for purposes of certain limitations on tax-exempt bond financing to include facilities which are functionally related and subordinate to a manufacturing facility.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a highway fuel tax holiday.

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Provides for reimbursement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from such suspension. Expresses the policy of Congress that: (1) consumers immediately receive the benefit of the reduction in taxes resulting from this Act; and (2) transportation motor fuels producers and other dealers take necessary actions to reduce fuel prices to reflect such reduction in taxes.

Securing Exports Through Coordination and Technology Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

Securing Exports Through Coordination and Technology Act - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to revise filing requirements under the Automated Export System (AES). Requires carriers obliged to file Shipper's Export Declarations to file them through AES (either directly or through intermediaries) before items are exported from any U.S. port, unless the Secretary of Commerce grants an exception. (Under current law such a filing may be made after departure of the carrier from the port or place of exportation or transportation.) Defines "intermediary" as a freight forwarder, a non-vessel operating common carrier, or an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet and its service providers. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) the confidentiality and the sharing of Shipper's Export Declarations with the public and government agencies; and (2) conferences and seminars to educate exporters about U.S. export laws and the AES. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) grant licenses to persons to file information in the AES; and (2) deny, suspend, or revoke a license. Provides for administrative and judicial appeal of license denials, suspensions, or revocations. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations to ensure that the AES will not accept filings with respect to exports that would violate U.S. export control laws or trade sanctions regulations.

To make technical corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

Makes technical corrections to provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which provide special immigrant status for certain Iraqis employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or State to convert approved petitions for such status with respect to which visas are not immediately available to approved petitions for petitions filed before October 1, 2008.

Separating Servicemember Handbook Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008

Separating Servicemember Handbook Development Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to direct the Secretary of Defense to develop and maintain, in a handbook and on a publically-available Internet website, a comprehensive description of the compensation and other benefits to which an Armed Forces member, and the family of the member, would be entitled on separation or retirement resulting from a serious injury or illness. Requires that the handbook be provided to each member as soon as practicable following an injury or illness for which the member may retire or separate.

THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2008 WAR SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST

United States · United States Senate · 16 April 2008

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 16 April 2008

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 16 April 2008

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 16 April 2008

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 16 April 2008

Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008

Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants and loans to qualified states, in accordance with HUD-approved plans, to carry out eligible housing stimulus activities. Allows such loans to be used by a state, a unit of local government or its entity, or a nonprofit organization. Limits the use of such loans to: (1) purchasing or financing the purchase of qualified foreclosed housing for resale as housing for homeownership to families having incomes of up to 140% of the median income for the area in which the housing is located; (2) rental of such housing only by families whose incomes do not exceed 100% of such median income in the area; and (3) rehabilitation of such property for the purpose of reselling it within three months at a price as close as possible to its acquisition price. Limits the use of grants to: (1) property holding and operating costs; (2) property-related acquisition costs; and (3) state-related administrative and planning costs. Requires the Secretary, by regulation, to prohibit the use of such grants or loans for: (1) political activities; (2) advocacy; (3) lobbying, whether directly or through other parties; (4) counseling services; (5) travel expenses; and (6) preparing or providing advice on tax returns. Requires the use of such grants to provide housing only for families with: (1) very low-income; and (2) extremely low-income. Prohibits a loan or grant recipient from discriminating against a prospective tenant because the individual holds a voucher or certificate of eligibility under section 8 (public housing rental assistance) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Conditions the use of such loans or grants on a shared appreciation agreement between the federal government and the owner of such housing regarding the federal share of proceeds from its sale or disposition. Directs the Secretary to require a state to reimburse the Treasury for amounts of any misused funds.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($6.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provide assistance to homeless veterans.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to waive the 10 percent penalty on withdrawals from qualified retirement plans upon receipt of notice of foreclosure on a principal residence.

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a taxpayer from the 10% penalty on premature withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans if such taxpayer received a foreclosure notice relating to a mortgage on a principal residence and makes a withdrawal from a retirement account after July 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2011.

HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUDGET: FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 15 April 2008

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 15 April 2008

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 15 April 2008

Optional One Page Flat Tax Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Optional One Page Flat Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize an individual or a person engaged in business activity to make an irrevocable election to be subject to a flat tax (in lieu of the existing tax provisions) of 19% for the first two years after an election is made, and 17% thereafter. Calculates taxable income for individual taxpayers by subtracting a basic standard deduction and an additional standard deduction for each dependent from the total of wages, retirement distributions, and unemployment compensation. Defines "business taxable income" to mean gross active income reduced by the cost of certain business inputs. Imposes an employer tax on the value of excludable compensation provided to employees not engaged in business activity of 19% for the first two years after an election is made under this Act and 17% thereafter. Requires a two-thirds vote of the House of Representatives or the Senate to increase the flat tax rate proposed by this Act or to reduce the amount of the standard deduction or business-related deductions allowed by this Act.

Ethical Stem Cell Research Tax Credit Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Ethical Stem Cell Research Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 30% of qualified stem cell research expenses paid or incurred in a taxable year. Defines "qualified stem cell research expenses" as expenses for carrying out basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions. Prohibits a tax credit for any research expenses that may involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction of or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell for prohibited purposes.

Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act of 2008 - Allows services and assistance for veterans with service-connected disabilities to include services necessary to improve a veteran's quality of life. Entitles a veteran determined not capable of achieving a vocational goal to a program that improves such veteran's quality of life, in addition to other services currently provided. Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide programs of independent living services and assistance to such veterans. Removes provisions limiting the initiation of programs of independent living services to no more than 2,500 veterans each fiscal year.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to adjust the dollar amounts used to calculate the credit for the elderly and the permanently disabled for inflation since 1985.

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an inflation adjustment to the dollar amounts for calculating the tax credit for taxpayers who have attained age 65 or who have retired on disability as permanently and totally disabled.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the imposition of a separate fee for electronic filing of returns and statements for individuals, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit any person who is authorized to originate the electonic submission of a income tax return or statement from charging a separate fee for such electronic submission. Imposes a $50 fine for each violation.

Homefront Heroes Tax Relief Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Homefront Heroes Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for up to $500 of amounts paid to provide care packages to members of the Armed Forces serving in a combat zone.

Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008 - Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines "new discriminatory tax" as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate.

Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability, and Consistency Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008

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.