Taxation

A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a two-thirds rollcall vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a two-thirds rollcall vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Requires a two-thirds rollcall vote in each chamber before final adoption of any bill to increase the internal revenue. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that certain entities exempt from taxation (including business leagues and chambers of commerce) disclose sources and amounts of contributions.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require tax-exempt business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade, or professional football leagues to disclose in their annual tax returns the total contributions (including membership dues) received by them during the year and the name and address of, and amount contributed by, each contributor. Exempts organizations whose annual gross receipts do not exceed $25 million.

Renewable Energy Expansion Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010

Renewable Energy Expansion Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow taxpayers an election to receive a direct payment for investing in or producing specified energy property in lieu of existing energy tax credits; and (2) extend eligibility for such payments until January 1, 2013.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the purposes for which Build America Bonds may be issued.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a bond issued for a specified purpose as a tax credit Build America Bond. Defines "specified purpose" to mean providing a facility (including any land, building, or other property functionally related and subordinate to such facility) that is located within 2,000 feet of an enclosed convention center facility that is more than 150,000 square feet and is owned by or on behalf of a governmental unit having a population (determined by using 2000 census data) of not more than 250,000. Limits to $250 million the amount of bonds that may be issued for such purpose.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate the drawback fee on the manufacture or production of certain distilled spirits used in nonbeverage products.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the drawback fee on the manufacture or production of distilled spirits used in non-beverage products (i.e., medicines, medicinal preparations, food products, flavors, flavoring extracts, or perfume, which are unfit for beverage purposes).

[H.A.S.C. No. 111-121] NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 February 2010

[H.A.S.C. No. 111-120] NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 February 2010

THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 February 2010

THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET OVERVIEW WITH OMB DIRECTOR PETER R. ORSZAG

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 February 2010

Older Worker Opportunity Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010

Older Worker Opportunity Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers who provide health and retirement benefits to their employees a tax credit for 25% of the first $6,000 of wages paid to individuals age 62 or older participating in a flexible work program. Terminates such credit after 2012. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a Federal Task Force on Older Workers to promote the hiring and retention of older workers. Requires the Task Force to organize a Conference on the Aging Workforce, which shall include the participation of senior, business, labor, and other interested organizations.

Small Business Job Creation Tax Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010

Small Business Job Creation Tax Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a credit against payroll tax liability for a payroll increase in a quarter over a corresponding quarter in the previous calendar year. Sets the amount of such credit at 20% of such increase for employers that employ fewer than 100 employees and 15% for employers that employ 100 or more employees in any quarter. Limits the total credit amount available for all quarters to $500,000. Directs the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to: (1) notify all employers required to withhold employment taxes of the enactment and applicability of this Act; and (2) report to Congress on enforcement measures taken to prevent and penalize fraud related to the payroll credit allowed by this Act.

Cap Spending to Reduce Borrowing Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010

Cap Spending to Reduce Borrowing Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report increasing the statutory limit on the public debt unless such measure includes limits on the total level of discretionary and direct spending for each of 10 consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year in which the increase would occur. Waives such prohibition for any measure increasing the statutory limit on the public debt if statutory limits are in place on the total level of such spending for each of 10 consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year in which such increase would occur. Repeals Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House (known as the "Gephardt Rule") which provides for mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution.

Stand By Your Ad Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010

Stand By Your Ad Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require certain campaign-related communications which are paid for by certain tax-exempt organizations or political organizations to include a statement naming their five largest donors. Requires organizations to include information on their largest donors in reports on independent expenditures and electioneering communications.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to balance the Federal budget.

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2010

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (including those for debt service and other debt functions) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber to increase the public debt limit. Prohibits outlays for the total budget from exceeding the previous fiscal years' outlays plus population growth and inflation, unless a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, provides for such increase. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect only by a vote of a majority of both chambers. Requires all: (1) outlays above revenues from the previous fiscal year to be accounted for in the outlays and budgets of the following fiscal year; and (2) surplus revenues at the end of a fiscal year to be allocated to a fund to be returned to the taxpayers, determined by legislation before the end of the subsequent fiscal year.

THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET

United States · United States House of Representatives · 2 February 2010

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

United States · United States Senate · 2 February 2010

GI Bill Enhancement Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010

GI Bill Enhancement Act of 2010 - Increases from $19 million to $24 million the annual amount available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse state agencies for expenses incurred in approving courses of education for participation in the veterans' educational assistance program. Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to adjust such amount to account for changes in the cost of living.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a limited exclusion from gross income for the discharge of indebtedness of individuals.

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited exclusion from gross income for income resulting from the discharge of qualified individual indebtedness. Defines "qualified individual indebtedness" as any indebtedness of an individual other than indebtedness which is discharged on account of services performed for the lender or held at any time by a person related to such individual.

Student Loan Interest Full Deductibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010

Student Loan Interest Full Deductibility Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the current dollar limitations on the tax deduction of interest on education loans.

Rural Jobs Tax Credit Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010

Rural Jobs Tax Credit Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow eligible employers, including tax-exempt employers, a refundable tax credit for increases in wages paid during 2010 and 2011. Defines an "eligible employer" as any employer that conducts an active trade or business in an area other than: (1) a city or town of more than 50,000 inhabitants; or (2) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to work with state employment agencies to inform businesses of the availability of the tax credit allowed by this Act.

21st Century Buy American Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010

21st Century Buy American Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish and carry out a program to award grants to any entity that is a manufacturer in the United States, is a firm certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974, and is an entity that either: (1) mines, produces, or manufactures a nonavailable item; (2) is the last remaining manufacturer of an item in the United States and can prove hardship because of foreign competition; or (3) is the last remaining manufacturer of an item in the United States that is considered to be vital for national security purposes. Permits a recipient to use such a grant to: (1) increase its ability to compete for a government contract for, and to produce, a nonavailable item; (2) increase its capacity to produce items that are vital to national security and to create or retain jobs; (3) modernize or renovate manufacturing facilities using domestically made equipment; and (4) cover costs associated with obtaining access to adjustment assistance. Defines a "nonavailable item" as an article that: (1) a federal agency has determined is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality; (2) has been subject to a waiver of buy American provisions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; or (3) is on the list of nonavailable articles under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Amends the Buy America Act to: (1) make buy American requirements for articles for public use applicable without regard to whether the articles are for use outside the United States, if they are not needed on an urgent basis or are acquired on a regular basis; (2) require an analysis of the difference in the cost of such articles manufactured inside compared to outside the United States before a contract for such articles is entered; and (3) require an agency, before granting a public interest waiver or a waiver for use outside the United States, to consider the effect on domestic employment. Requires: (1) each agency that applies an exception to the Buy American Act to notify the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who shall post the notification on a publicly accessible website; and (2) the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the amount of articles purchased by each agency each fiscal year from entities that manufacture them outside the United States.

Cash Back Reward Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010

Cash Back Reward Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for interest paid on an unsecured credit card in 2010. Limits the amount of such deduction to $5,000 ($10,000 for married couples filing a joint tax return).

Small Business Job Creation Tax Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2010

Small Business Job Creation Tax Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a credit against payroll tax liability for a payroll increase in a quarter over a corresponding quarter in the previous calendar year. Sets the amount of such credit at 20% of such increase for employers that employ fewer than 100 employees and 15% for employers that employ 100 or more employees in any quarter. Limits the total credit amount available for all quarters to $500,000. Directs the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to: (1) notify all employers required to withhold employment taxes of the enactment and applicability of this Act; and (2) report to Congress on enforcement measures taken to prevent and penalize fraud related to the payroll credit allowed by this Act.

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2010

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 - Transfers statutory responsibility for performing actuarial duties related to the Department of State's retirement systems from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of State (Secretary). Authorizes Department and Foreign Service special agents to investigate: (1) illegal passport or visa issuance or use; (2) Department-related identity theft and document fraud; and (3) federal offenses committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdictions (nonmilitary) of the United States. Includes Pakistan among the countries (Afghanistan and Iraq) for which the Secretary is not required to convene an Accountability Review Board in an instance of serious injury, loss of life, or significant property destruction related to a U.S. government mission. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide security enhancements at overseas schools; and (2) use Department uniformed guards to protect buildings and areas in the United States. Revises provisions regarding: (1) local guard contracts abroad; and (2) overseas procurement. Renames the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs as the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science. Extends the U.S. reimbursement period with respect to seized commercial fishermen. Increases the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund maximum. Provides Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty employees with federal service parity of pay. Extends: (1) grant authority for Radio Free Asia; (2) the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; and (3) the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) personal services contractor program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) increase the number of scientific, medicine, research, and academic educational and cultural exchange activities; (2) establish science and technology fellowship programs; and (3) establish international documentary exchange programs. Permits applicants for refugee admission to simultaneously pursue other forms of admission. Authorizes the refugee admission of certain separated or orphan children or children of refugee spouses. Revises requirements for adjustment of refugee status to permanent resident status. Eliminates the exception to the visa ineligibility of a person involved in child abduction based upon the child's location in a country that is party to the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Exempts certain children, including certain siblings, who have been adopted in a foreign country from admissions vaccination documentation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to hire additional Foreign Service members. Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2009 - Extends comparability pay adjustments on a phased-in schedule to (non-Senior) Foreign Service members assigned abroad. Treats such payments as basic pay. Revises provisions concerning the computation of the death gratuity payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad. Extends the Secretary's authority to recruit retired Foreign Service or Civil Service employees or members of the Response Readiness Corps as reemployed annuitants to serve in Pakistan, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Repeals the recertification requirement for Senior Foreign Service members. Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) exchange programs under which Department officers or employees and members of the Foreign Service may be temporarily assigned to a position with any foreign government or international entity that permits an employee to be assigned to the Department; and (2) a personal services pilot program for services in the United States or abroad. Authorizes the U.S. share of assessed contributions for each U.N. peacekeeping operation after 2010 at 27.5%. Establishes in the Treasury the Buying Power Maintenance, International Organizations account. Authorizes the readmission and participation of the United States in the Inter-Parlimentary Union. Limits specified assistance to governments of countries in default to the United States. Increases authority for foreign law enforcement training. Authorizes Millenium Challenge Compact extensions and concurrent Compacts. Authorizes the Inspector General of USAID to temporarily reemploy annuitants for positions in the Office of Inspector General in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Prohibits assistance to a country for production of agricultural commodities which would be available in surplus quantities on world markets and would adversely affect U.S. agricultural producers. Authorizes FY2010-FY2011 appropriations to carry out this Act.

Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2010

Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow rehabilitation expenditures for a qualified public educational facility (defined as a school facility which is part of a public elementary or secondary school and is owned by a private, for-profit corporation pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement) to qualify for the rehabilitation tax credit.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2011

United States · United States Senate · 28 January 2010

Commission for Fiscal Sustainability Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2010

Commission for Fiscal Sustainability Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish in the legislative branch the Commission for Fiscal Sustainability to address, and report to the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of both chambers on, the nation's long-term fiscal imbalances, including federal expenditures and revenues and the current and long-term actuarial financial condition of the federal government. Provides for expedited legislative consideration of the Commission's recommendations. Requires the Commission to make recommendations that: (1) shall significantly improve the long-term fiscal imbalance of the federal governent solely through reductions in federal expenditures; and (2) shall not increase federal revenues through increased taxes.

Boosting Entrepreneurship and New Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2010

Boosting Entrepreneurship and New Jobs Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow certain small businesses a refundable tax credit for 15% of the first-year wages paid to new employees and a business-related tax credit for employee health insurance expenses; and (2) impose an additional tax on individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes exceeding $500,000 ($1 million for married couples filing a joint tax return) sufficient to render the provisions of this Act budget neutral. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Secretary of the Treasury to jointly establish a loan program for small business concerns (i.e., businesses with fewer than 25 employees). Amends the Small Business Act to expand: (1) the authority of the Administrator to guarantee small business loans; and (2) the microloan program for women, low-income individuals, veterans, and minority entrepreneurs. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to obligate to be expended by September 30, 2010, certain funds for research and development by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the maximum loan amounts available to small businesses for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, and expansion. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should designate the SBA Administrator as a member of the Cabinet; and (2) financial institutions that have received financial assistance from the federal government should provide needed capital and loans to small business concerns.

American Elections Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

American Elections Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) apply to any domestic corporation under foreign control or specified substantial foreign influence the ban on contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals in connection with a federal, state, or local election; and (2) require disclosure in certain print or broadcast communications paid for by a coporation the percentage of corporate voting shares controlled by a foreign national, or, if no such shares exist, the percentage of gross receipts that the corporation received from a foreign national in the immediately preceding fiscal year or current pro-rated fiscal year. Requires any such broadcast communications paid for by a corporation to include an audio statement on the percentage of the corporation's shares controlled by, or of its funds that come from, foreign nationals.

CARE Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

Caregiver Assistance and Relief Effort Act of 2010 or the CARE Act of 2010 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase and extend, through FY2014, the authorization of appropriations for the national family caregiver support program, including caregiver support programs for Native Americans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow caregivers a tax credit for family members with long-term care needs; (2) allow a tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums; and (3) apply certain consumer protection provisions to long-term care insurance contracts.

Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a system of state-based health care exchanges to: (1) facilitate the individual purchase of innovative private health insurance; and (2) create a market where private health plans compete for enrollees based on price and quality. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for certain health insurance coverage. Increases the monthly contribution limit for health savings accounts. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) with respect to individual health insurance coverage. Amends the Employee Retirement Security Income Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to rules governing association health plans. Establishes a Health Care Services Commission, including an Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care, to conduct and support research, demonstration projects, and dissemination of information on health care services and delivery systems. Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2008 - Prescribes requirements for establishment of a nationwide health information technology via independent health record trusts (IHRTs). Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to restructure the Medicaid program into a program of grants to states for: (1) acute care for individuals with disabilities and certain low-income individuals; (2) long-term care (LTC) services and supports; (3) survey and certification of medical facilities; (4) program integrity; and (5) administration. Repeals SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP). Amends the PHSA to direct the Secretary to supplement the costs of private health insurance for eligible low-income families through the distribution of supplemental debit cards. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish a separate program for new Medicare beneficiaries beginning in 2021. Prescribes a formula for increasing the Medicare eligibility age as of January 1, 2021. Consolidates the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund into a unified Medicare trust fund. Amends SSA title XVIII part D (Prescription Drug Program) to prescribe a formula for reducing the part D premium subsidy based on income. Revises other Medicare features, reducing hospital market basket increases, eliminating the indexing of income thresholds for part B income-related premiums, and prescribing a procedure for addressing excess general revenue Medicare funding. Prescribes requirements for speedy resolution of medical liability claims and compensation of patient injuries. Amends the PHSA to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states for alternatives to current tort litigation in the resolution of disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or health care organizations. Social Security Personal Savings Guarantee and Prosperity Act of 2010 - Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to establish a Social Security Personal Savings Fund and a Self-Liquidating Social Security Transition Fund as parts of a new Personal Social Security Savings Program. Prescribes requirements for investment of Personal Social Security Savings Accounts. Establishes in the executive branch a Personal Social Security Savings Board. Requires the phase-in of the normal retirement age to age 67 by 2021. Taxpayer Choice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for noncorporate (individual) taxpayers after 2010; (2) allow taxpayers to elect an alternative income tax system; and (3) exclude from gross income all net capital gains, qualified dividends, and interest. Repeals estate and gift taxes. Competitive American Business Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the corporate income tax; and (2) impose a new business consumption tax on the sale of goods and services in the United States by corporations and other businesses, with specified exceptions. Prescribes income deductions and taxes on property and on the importation of services. Job Training Results Act of 2010 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to prescribe requirements for ensuring accountability and job training results in federal job training programs. Replaces Work Flexibility Plans with Job Training Improvement Plans. Spending Enforcement and Control Act of 2010 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to: (1) establish new discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2019 as well as total spending limits for FY2011-FY2083; and (2) prescribe administrative and legislative procedures for spending reduction orders. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and other federal law with respect to long-term budgeting, spending limits enforcement, five-year fiscal sustainability reviews, and long-term budget reconciliation (including points of order against long-term spending increases beyond a specified level).

Real Estate Revitalization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

Real Estate Revitalization Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to foreign investment in United States real property, to: (1) redefine "United States real property interest" to eliminate exclusions relating to interests in holding corporations; (2) treat distributions of real property interests by a real estate investment trusts (REIT) or a regulated investment company (RIC) as ordinary dividends; and (3) repeal the election allowed to foreign corporations to be treated as a domestic corporation for purposes of investment in a United States real property interest.

Shareholder Protection Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

Shareholder Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit an issuer from making any expenditure for political activities in excess of $10,000 in any fiscal year without first obtaining the written affirmative authorization for such expenditure by a majority of all shareholders. Deems a violation of this requirement to be a breach of the fiduciary duty of the officers and directors who authorized such expenditure. Subjects to joint and several liability to any shareholder or class of shareholders for the amount of such expenditure the officers and directors who authorize it without prior shareholder authorization. Prohibits rules and guidelines established by any national securities exchange or by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from considering as a routine corporate matter a decision to make a contribution or expenditure for political activities in excess of $10,000. Exempts from the shareholder prior approval requirement an issuer whose sole business is the publication or broadcasting of news, commentary, literature, music, entertainment, artistic expression, scientific, historical or academic works, or other forms of information. Directs the SEC to require issuers to disclose quarterly any expenditure for political activities made during the preceding quarter. Requires such report to be filed with the SEC, provided to shareholders, and be made publicly available through the SEC website.

Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require taxpayers to provide their social security number on their tax return in order to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to balance the Federal budget.

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (including those for debt service and other debt functions) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits outlays for the total budget from exceeding the previous fiscal years' outlays plus population growth and inflation, unless a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, provides for such increase. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect only by a vote of a majority of both chambers. Requires all: (1) outlays above revenues from the previous fiscal year to be accounted for in the outlays and budgets of the following fiscal year; and (2) surplus revenues at the end of a fiscal year to be allocated to a fund to be returned to the taxpayers, determined by legislation before the end of the subsequent fiscal year.

Blue Ridge Parkway Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010

Blue Ridge Parkway Protection Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands and interests in land from willing sellers in order to protect up to 50,000 acres identified in the Blue Ridge Parkway Land Protection Plan. Requires the lands and interests authorized to be acquired to be contiguous with the Blue Ridge Parkway and identified by the Superintendent of the Parkway as a priority for acquisition by the federal government. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants from funds under this Act to: (1) acquire lands and interests; and (2) provide technical expense assistance for costs associated with land acquisition by entering into cooperative agreements with qualified non-profit conservation organizations to acquire lands and interests. Bars the Secretary from spending more than 10% of the funds made available under this Act in any fiscal year for site restoration and resource surveys. Permits, from funds under this Act, the use of not more than $250,000 in FY2011-FY2015 to reimburse administrative expenses for qualified non-profit conservation organizations involved directly in land acquisition projects in which lands and interests are conveyed to the Parkway. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress which: (1) describes the condition of the Parkway, including threats and land preservation needs; (2) lists the land acquisitions that have been completed or are underway; and (3) lists priority land acquisitions that should be made.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a temporary payroll increase tax credit for certain employers.

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a general business tax credit for increases in their payroll in 2010 and 2011. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax shelter activities to: (1) establish legal presumptions against the validity of transactions involving offshore secrecy jurisdictions (i.e., foreign tax havens identified in this Act and by the Secretary of the Treasury); (2) impose restrictions on foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions that are of primary money laundering concern or that impede U.S. tax enforcement; (3) treat certain foreign corporations managed and controlled primarily in the United States as domestic corporations; (4) increase the period for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) review of tax returns involving offshore secrecy jurisdictions; (5) require tax withholding agents and financial institutions to report certain information about beneficial owners of foreign-owned financial accounts and accounts established in offshore secrecy jurisdictions; (6) disallow tax advisor opinions validating transactions in offshore secrecy jurisdictions; (7) subject dividend equivalents and substitute dividends to the 30% tax on foreign income; and (8) impose reporting requirements for transactions involving a passive foreign investment company. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other federal enactments to impose a penalty for failure to disclose holdings or transactions involving a foreign entity. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish a final rule requiring unregistered investment companies, including hedge funds or private equity funds, to establish anti-money laundering programs, and to submit suspicious activity reports. Modifies requirements for certain third party summonses used to obtain information in tax investigations that do not identify the person with respect to whose liability the summons is issued (John Doe summons). Increases penalties for promoting abusive tax shelters and for aiding and abetting the understatement of tax liability. Prohibits the patenting of tax planning inventions. Prohibits tax advisor contingent fee agreements for obtaining tax savings or benefits. Allows increased disclosure of tax information for enforcement purposes. Directs the Secretary to impose standards for written tax opinions by tax practitioners. Denies tax deductions for certain fines and penalties for violations of law and for interest paid on certain understatements of tax. Sets forth rules for the application of the economic substance doctrine and imposes penalties for underpayments of tax due to transactions lacking economic substance.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily reduce payroll taxes of employees and employers by one-half, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce in 2010: (1) the employment tax rate from 6.2 to 3.1% for employers and employees; and (2) the tax rate on self-employment income from 12.4 to 6.2%. Appropriates to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Trust Fund sufficient amounts to cover any revenue lost to such Trust Funds from the enactment of this Act.

Blue Ridge Parkway Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010

Blue Ridge Parkway Protection Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands and interests in land from willing sellers in order to protect up to 50,000 acres identified in the Blue Ridge Parkway Land Protection Plan. Requires the lands and interests authorized to be acquired to be contiguous with the Blue Ridge Parkway and identified by the Superintendent of the Parkway as a priority for acquisition by the federal government. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants from funds under this Act to: (1) acquire lands and interests; and (2) provide technical expense assistance for costs associated with land acquisition by entering into cooperative agreements with qualified non-profit conservation organizations to acquire lands and interests. Bars the Secretary from spending more than 10% of the funds made available under this Act in any fiscal year for site restoration and resource surveys. Permits, from funds under this Act, the use of not more than $250,000 in FY2011-FY2015 to reimburse administrative expenses for qualified non-profit conservation organizations involved directly in land acquisition projects in which lands and interests are conveyed to the Parkway. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress which: (1) describes the condition of the Parkway, including threats and land preservation needs; (2) lists the land acquisitions that have been completed or are underway; and (3) lists priority land acquisitions that should be made.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to deny a deduction for image advertising expenses for any trade or business the gross receipts of which exceed $100 million.

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny business taxpayers whose gross receipts exceeded $100 million in the preceding taxable year a tax deduction for expenses incurred for advertising anything other than a service or product.

Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2010

Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as five-year depreciable property. Makes this Act applicable to property placed in service after April 11, 2003.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for lightweight coal freight cars.

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit for 30% of the basis of an eligible lightweight coal freight car. Defines "eligible lightweight coal freight car" as any freight car: (1) designed to carry coal by rail; (2) the tare weight of which does not exceed 50,000 pounds; and (3) substantially all of the manufacturing of which occurred in the United States. Terminates such credit after 2013.

Helping Small Business Compete Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010

Helping Small Business Compete Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase from 23% to 25% the government-wide small business procurement contract goal. Requires the President, before the close of each fiscal year, to establish new goals. Requires each federal agency to have an anuual goal at least equal to the federal goal. Sets forth provisions concerning methods for goal achievement, including requiring procurement training for senior executives and a limitation on incentive awards for failure to meet goals. Redefines the term: (1) "bundled contract" to mean a contract or order entered into to meet procurement requirements that are consolidated in a bundling of contract requirements, without regard to its designation by the procuring agency or whether a study of the effects of the solicitation on civilian or military personnel has been made; and (2) "bundling of contract requirements" to mean any bundling methodology to satisfy two or more procurement requirements for new or existing goods or services, including any construction services, that is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business due to the specialized nature of performance, the dollar value of the award, or the geographical dispersion of the contract or order performance. Makes the revised definitions inapplicable for contracts under $65 million for construction services and, for all other types of contracts, under $5 million. Requires notification to Small Business Administration (SBA) procurement center representatives of identifying information on incumbent contract holders, a description of the industries potentially interested in bidding on the contract requirements, and the number of small businesses listed in the industry categories that could be excluded from future bidding if the contract is bundled. Allows the SBA Administrator, if there is cause to believe a contract combines requirements or a contract or task or delivery order for construction services or includes unjustified bundling, to request a statement of work for goods and services, and to request that the solicitation process be postponed at least 10 days (but not more than 30) to allow the Administrator to review the statement and make recommendations. Allows a small business adversely affected by a proposed procurement that includes contract bundling to take specified actions. Allows the SBA, whenever the head of a contracting agency makes a decision concerning the Administrator's challenge to a bundling of contract requirements, to file a challenge with the appropriate agency board of contract appeals. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations concerning good faith compliance with small business subcontracting plans and requirements. Provides criminal penalties for violators making false statements in an effort to obtain a federal contract.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat distributions of debt securities in a tax free spin-off transaction in the same manner as distributions of cash or other property.

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat securities and nonqualified preferred stock paid to a parent corporation by a subsidiary in a corporate reorganization as cash payments, thus subjecting the gain attributable to such payments to tax.

A bill to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010

Treats cash contributions made after January 11, 2010, and before February 16, 2010, for the relief of earthquake victims in Haiti as having been made on December 31, 2009, for purposes of the tax deduction for charitable contributions.

A bill to provide a temporary suspension of limitation on charitable contributions and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the enhanced charitable deduction for contributions of food inventory.

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010

Suspends limitations on the tax deduction for charitable contributions made by individuals and corporations, including contributions for relief efforts related to the earthquake in Haiti and cash contributions in 2010 to specified public charities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory from any trade or business (including corporations other than C corporations).

Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010

Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act - Treats cash contributions made after January 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, for the relief of earthquake victims in Haiti as having been made on December 31, 2009, for purposes of the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Deems a contribution as meeting the recordkeeping requirements of the Internal Revenue Code if the taxpayer produces a telephone bill showing the name of the donee organization and the date and amount of the contribution.

To amend sections 14006 and 14007 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to reserve funds under the programs established under such sections for payments to the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the Interior for Indian children.

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010

Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to direct the Secretary of Education to reserve 1% to 5% of the amount reserved from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for the State Incentive Grant program for a FY2010 grant to the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the Interior to carry out activities for Indian children that are consistent with that program. (That program makes incentive grants to states that make significant progress in addressing inequities in teacher distribution, establishing longitudinal education data systems, improving educational standards and assessments, and ensuring the improvement of failing schools.) Requires the Secretary to reserve 1% to 5% of the amount reserved from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for the creation of an Innovation Fund for an award to the Bureau of Indian Education to carry out activities for Indian children that are consistent with the objectives of the Innovation Fund. (The Innovation Fund rewards certain educational entities that make significant progress in closing student achievement gaps.)

Military Personnel Toxic Exposure Registry Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010

Military Personnel Toxic Exposure Registry Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish and administer a system to identify members of the Armed Forces who were potentially exposed to a hazardous disposal site, as well as any negative health effects that may be related to such exposure. Requires the Secretary to: (1) administer the system using existing medical surveillance systems; (2) notify a member and his or her commanding officer of a potential exposure; (3) for each member notified, collect information for purposes of the system; (4) for each member notified, annually provide a complete physical examination and related consultation and counseling; and (5) report annually to the congressional defense committees on the status of system implementation and incidences of illnesses which may have been caused by such exposure. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to: (1) include solid waste containing plastics within the definition of "covered waste" for purposes of a prohibition against the disposal by the Armed Forces of covered waste in open-air burn pits during contingency operations; and (2) include in a required report concerning the use of such pits those situations in which such pits were used to dispose of waste during military exercises and operations worldwide during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.

Deficit Reduction Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010

Deficit Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to redefine, for FY2011-FY2019, discretionary spending limits (spending caps) for new budget authority and outlays to mean the baseline, minus any emergency spending, for the preceding fiscal year as adjusted for inflation and (as under current law) as adjusted in strict conformance with such Act. Revises sequestration requirements for enforcement of discretionary spending limits. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct such a sequestration to eliminate a budget year breach. Eliminates specific formula requirements for adjustments to discretionary spending limits for: (1) highways; (2) continuing disability reviews for the Social Security Administration (SSA); (3) allowances for the International Monetary Fund (IMF); (4) specified allowances for international arrearages; (5) the earned income tax credit (EITC) compliance initiative; (6) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adoption incentive payments; and (7) conservation. Prescribes an adjustment to discretionary spending limits for overseas contingency operations related to the global war on terrorism, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Redefines low-growth, for purposes of OMB's required low-growth notification to Congress, from less than zero to less than 1%. Extends Pay-As-You-Go requirements and enforcement mechanisms through FY2019. Establishes sequestration enforcement mechanisms to eliminate deficit limits for FY2012-FY2019. Specifies additional Social Security, veterans, Tier I Railroad Retirement benefits and other programs and activities exempt from a sequestration order as well as certain economic recovery programs. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to make it out of order in both chambers to consider any legislation causing the discretionary limits in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to be exceeded.