Taxation

Climate Change Resiliency Fund for America Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

Climate Change Resiliency Fund for America Act of 2019 This bill provides support to address the impacts of climate change. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to issue up to $1 billion in climate change obligations (e.g., bonds) in a fiscal year, with bond proceeds going into the Climate Change Resiliency Fund established by this bill. The fund must be used for a program that finances projects that reduce the economic, social, and environmental impact of the adverse effects of climate change. The Climate Change Advisory Commission, established by this bill, must provide recommendations and guidelines for the program and identify categories of the most cost-effective investments and projects that emphasize multiple benefits to commerce, human health, and ecosystems.

Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 This bill provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund if an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect. The bill provides appropriations at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year.

New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 201 9 This bill makes the new markets tax credit permanent. It also modifies the credit to (1) provide for an inflation adjustment to the limitation amount for the credit after 2018, and (2) allow an offset against the alternative minimum tax for the credit (determined with respect to qualified equity investments initially made after 2018).

PACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019

Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone Act or the PACE Act This bill modifies the tax credit for expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment (known as the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit) to (1) make the credit refundable, (2) increase the rate for the credit, and (3) require the dollar amounts for such credit to be adjusted for inflation after 2019. The bill also increases the amount of employer-provided dependent care assistance which may be excluded from the gross income of an employee and requires the increased exclusion amount to be adjusted for inflation after 2020.

Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2019

Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act This bill expands the disclosure requirements for certain tax-exempt organizations. This bill requires the annual tax return information for tax-exempt organizations and deferred compensation plans to be made available to the public at no charge and in an open structured data format that is processable by computers, with the information easy to find, access, reuse, and download in bulk. The bill also requires the disclosure of the names and addresses of contributors of $5,000 or more to tax-exempt organizations that participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

Uniting Families Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2019

Uniting Families Act of 2019 This bill establishes a non-immigrant visa category for an alien who (1) is 18 or older and is the genetic son or daughter of a U.S. citizen who served in the Armed Forces on active duty abroad; or (2) is the spouse or child of such alien and is accompanying, or following to join, such alien. To obtain a visa, the alien's citizen parent must petition and receive approval from the Department of Homeland Security. The petition shall include (1) DNA evidence establishing the parent-child relationship, (2) a written statement that the parent will provide financial support until the alien receives lawful permanent resident status, and (3) proof of the parent's U.S. citizenship and active duty with the Armed Forces abroad. The period of authorized admission for aliens with the visa is five years, and 5,000 principal visa aliens may be admitted per fiscal year. Holders of such a visa may adjust to lawful permanent resident status after meeting various requirements, such as being admissible as an immigrant.

LEAP Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2019

Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs Act or the LEAP Act This bill allows employers a business-related tax credit of $1,500 for hiring an apprenticeship employee who has not attained age 25 at the close of the taxable year or $1,000 for hiring an apprenticeship employee who has attained age 25. The credit is available for no more than two taxable years with respect to any apprenticeship employee. An apprenticeship employee is any employee who is (1) a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor or a recognized state apprenticeship agency; and (2) employed by the employer in the occupation identified in the apprenticeship agreement, whether or not the employer is a party to such agreement.

Nonpartisan Bill For the People Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Nonpartisan Bill For the People Act of 2019 This bill addresses voter registration, congressional redistricting, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of government. The bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. Voters must present identification to vote. The bill requires states to hold open primaries. The bill provides for states to establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions. The bill also sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, protecting the security of the voter rolls, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect the security and integrity of U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the cybersecurity of election systems. This bill addresses campaign spending, including by expanding the ban on foreign nationals contributing to or spending on elections; expanding disclosure rules pertaining to organizations spending money during elections, campaign advertisements, and online platforms; and revising disclaimer requirements for political advertising. This bill sets forth provisions related to ethics in all three branches of government. Specifically, the bill requires a code of ethics for federal judges and justices, prohibits Members of the House from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, expands enforcement of regulations governing foreign agents, and establishes additional conflict-of-interest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House. The bill also requires candidates for President, Vice President, and Congress to submit 10 years of tax returns.

NEW GIG Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

New Economy Works to Guarantee Independence and Growth Act of 2019 or the NEW GIG Act of 2019 This bill establishes a test for determining if a service provider should be classified as an independent contractor rather than as an employee for tax purposes. If the requirements of the test are met, the provider may not be treated as an employee, the recipient or any payor may not be treated as an employer, and compensation for the service may not be treated as paid or received with respect to employment. The factors of the test include the relationship between the parties (i.e., the provider incurs expenses; does not work exclusively for a single recipient; performs the service for a particular amount of time, to achieve a specific result, or to complete a specific task; or is a sales person compensated primarily on a commission basis); the place of business or ownership of the equipment (i.e., the provider has a principal place of business, does not work primarily at the recipient's place of business, and provides tools or supplies); and the performance of the services under a written contract that meets certain requirements (i.e., specifies that the provider is not an employee, the recipient will satisfy withholding and reporting requirements, and that the provider is responsible for taxes on the compensation). The bill also (1) sets forth withholding and reporting requirements for service recipients who meet the requirements of the test, and (2) allows service providers to petition the U.S. Tax Court for a determination of employment status.

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds to pay educational expenses. Specifically, ED shall establish a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account for dependent children of parents in the uniformed services for the payment of the children's educational expenses. Funds in the savings account may be used for, among other things, the cost of attendance at a private elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education, private tutoring, or costs associated with an apprenticeship or other vocational training program.

Elimination of Double Subsidies for the Hardrock Mining Industry Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Elimination of Double Subsidies for the Hardrock Mining Industry Act of 201 9 This bill modifies the tax deductions allowed for hardrock mines to prohibit the percentage depletion allowance for hardrock mines located on land currently subject to the general mining laws, or on land patented under such laws.

NEW GIG Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

New Economy Works to Guarantee Independence and Growth Act of 2019 or the NEW GIG Act of 2019 This bill establishes a test for determining if a service provider should be classified as an independent contractor rather than as an employee for tax purposes. If the requirements of the test are met, the provider may not be treated as an employee, the recipient or any payor may not be treated as an employer, and compensation for the service may not be treated as paid or received with respect to employment. The factors of the test include the relationship between the parties (i.e., the provider incurs expenses; does not work exclusively for a single recipient; performs the service for a particular amount of time, to achieve a specific result, or to complete a specific task; or is a sales person compensated primarily on a commission basis); the place of business or ownership of the equipment (i.e., the provider has a principal place of business, does not work primarily at the recipient's place of business, and provides tools or supplies); and the performance of the services under a written contract that meets certain requirements (i.e., specifies that the provider is not an employee, the recipient will satisfy withholding and reporting requirements, and that the provider is responsible for taxes on the compensation). The bill also (1) sets forth withholding and reporting requirements for service recipients who meet the requirements of the test, and (2) allows service providers to petition the U.S. Tax Court for a determination of employment status.

Child Tax Credit Equity for Puerto Rico Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Child Tax Credit Equity for Puerto Rico Act of 2019 This bill modifies the rules for the refundable portion of the child tax credit to (1) allow residents of Puerto Rico to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit on the same basis as U.S. taxpayers, and (2) allow residents of Puerto Rico with one or two children to claim the refundable portion of the credit on the same basis as residents with three or more children.

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds to pay educational expenses. Specifically, ED shall establish a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account for dependent children of parents in the uniformed services for the payment of the children's educational expenses. Funds in the savings account may be used for, among other things, the cost of attendance at a private elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education, private tutoring, or costs associated with an apprenticeship or other vocational training program.

Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Protect Medical Innovation Act of 201 9 This bill repeals the excise tax on the sale of a medical device by the manufacturer, producer, or importer.

FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET: MEMBERS' DAY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 6 March 2019

American Family Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

American Family Act of 2019 This bill modifies the child tax credit to (1) make the credit fully refundable, (2) increase the amount of the credit and allow an additional credit for children who are under six years of age, (3) require the amount of the credit to be adjusted annually for inflation, and (4) require the Department of the Treasury to establish a program for making advance payments of the credit on a monthly basis.

Taxpayer Extension Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Taxpayer Extension Act This bill extends the deadline for filing 2018 individual income tax returns from April 15, 2019, to May 20, 2019.

American Family Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

American Family Act of 2019 This bill modifies the child tax credit to (1) make the credit fully refundable, (2) increase the amount of the credit and allow an additional credit for children who are under six years of age, (3) require the amount of the credit to be adjusted annually for inflation, and (4) require the Department of the Treasury to establish a program for making advance payments of the credit on a monthly basis.

Taxpayer Penalty Protection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Taxpayer Penalty Protection Act of 2019 This bill reduces the amount of estimated income tax that certain taxpayers are required to pay for 2018. Presently, a penalty applies if taxpayers do not use either withholding or estimated tax payments to make a required annual payment before the end of the year. The required payment is the lesser of 90% of the tax for the taxable year or a specified percentage of the preceding year's tax. For 2018, the bill reduces the percentage of the preceding year's tax from 100% to 80%. For taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes for the preceding year that exceed $150,000, the bill reduces the percentage from 110% to 100%.

Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 201 9 This bill repeals the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). The repeal applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019.

American Cars, American Jobs Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

American Cars, American Jobs Act of 2019 This bill establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the American Cars, American Jobs Program. Under the program, the Department of Transportation must issue vouchers of $3,500 to offset the purchase or lease price of a new automobile made in the United States if at least 45% of the automobile's parts come from the United States or Canada and assembly of the automobile occurs in the United States. The amount of the voucher for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles is $4,500. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a tax deduction for the global low-tax income of certain foreign subsidiaries of U.S. automakers whose profits exceed a specified percentage of their value.

PHIT Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2019 or the PHIT Act of 201 9 This bill allows a medical care tax deduction for up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) of qualified sports and fitness expenses per year. The bill defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" as amounts paid exclusively for the sole purpose of participating in a physical activity, including (1) fitness facility memberships, (2) physical exercise or activity programs, and (3) equipment for a physical exercise or activity program.

Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 201 9 This bill modifies the requirements for calculating taxable income to exclude post-graduation scholarship grants from gross income in the same manner as scholarships are currently excluded. A "post-graduation scholarship grant" is a grant provided by a program that is established by certain tax-exempt organizations; requires the grantee to live and work in an applicable community that meets certain requirements regarding income, out-migration, and bachelor's degree attainment rates; and under which, in accordance with the conditions of a grant, the organization repays any portion of an education loan incurred by an individual to pay higher education expenses. In implementing this bill, the Department of the Treasury must prescribe specified regulations and meet reporting requirements. The Government Accountability Office must report on the post-graduation scholarship grants covered by this bill.

EMPOWER Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting Act or the EMPOWER Act This bill addresses policies and procedures related to claims of workplace harassment. Specifically, the bill makes it an unlawful practice (with exceptions regarding certain settlement or separation agreements) for an employer to (1) enter into a contract with an employee or applicant, as a condition of employment, promotion, compensation, benefits, or change in employment status or contractual relationship, if that contract contains a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace harassment; and (2) enforce, or attempt to enforce, a nondisparagement clause or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace harassment. Under the bill, an employee or applicant retains any right they would otherwise have had to report a concern about workplace harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other specified agencies, regardless of whether they have signed a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause. Employees or applicants also retain the right to pursue legal action regardless of signing such clauses. The bill sets forth (1) enforcement powers of the EEOC and other entities, and the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, regarding workplace harassment; and (2) the applicable procedures and remedies for employees' claims. The EEOC must (1) establish a confidential tip-line that supplements its process for submitting a charge of discrimination, and (2) provide for the development and dissemination of workplace training programs and information regarding workplace harassment. The bill modifies the tax treatment of expenses and payments related to workplace harassment and employment discrimination.

Income Verification Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Income Verification Act This bill directs states to use federal tax return information to verify an individual's income eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Medicaid, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the food stamp program).

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the inclusion of certain fringe benefit expenses for which a deduction is disallowed in unrelated business taxable income.

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

This bill modifies the requirements for determining the unrelated business taxable income of tax-exempt organizations. The bill repeals a provision that requires unrelated business taxable income to be increased by the amount of expenses paid or incurred by a tax-exempt organization for certain fringe benefits for which a tax deduction is not allowed, including benefits relating to transportation, parking, or an on-premises athletic facility.

Protecting Our Children’s Future Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Protecting Our Children's Future Act of 201 9 This bill makes several changes to the federal budget process. The changes to the budget process include converting the existing annual budget and appropriations process to a biennial process; changing the calendar period for the federal fiscal year (currently October 1 through September 30) to January 1 through December 31; requiring mandatory spending programs to be subject to the appropriations process with exceptions for Social Security, Medicare, programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and TRICARE; requiring the baseline budget of each department or agency to be assumed to be zero and each proposed expenditure to be justified as if it were a new expenditure; requiring Congress to consider appropriations bills using procedures similar to the existing budget reconciliation process, which includes expedited procedures that prevent a filibuster and restrict amendments in the Senate; and withholding pay for Members of Congress if the House and Senate have not jointly agreed to a congressional budget resolution by June 30 of the first year of a Congress.

Economic Development Act for Distressed Zones of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Economic Development Act for Distressed Zones of 2019 This bill provides various tax credits related to economically distressed zones and establishes a procedure for state and local governments to apply for such zone designation. Specifically, the bill provides credits to taxpayers in an economically distressed zone based on the amount of (1) wages paid by an employer to employees, (2) depreciation and amortization allowances for business property, and (3) trade or business payments made for purchases of services or property. The bill also allows state and local governments to apply for a population census tract under their ambit to be designated as an economically distressed zone

Wall Street Tax Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Wall Street Tax Act of 2019 This bill imposes a 0.1% excise tax on certain financial transactions such as the purchase of stocks, bonds, and derivatives. The tax applies to the purchase of a security if (1) such purchase occurs on, or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States; or (2) the purchaser or seller is a U.S. person. A "security" includes a share of stock in a corporation; a partnership or beneficial ownership interest in a partnership or trust; a note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness; and derivatives that meet specified criteria. The tax applies to transactions with respect to a derivative if (1) the derivative is traded on, or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States; or (2) any party with rights under the derivative is a U.S. person. The bill exempts from such tax (1) initial issues of securities; and (2) any note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness which is traded on or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States, and has a fixed maturity of not more than 100 days. The tax applies to transactions by a controlled foreign corporation and must be paid by its U.S. shareholders.

Move America Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Move America Act of 201 9 This bill allows tax-exempt Move America bonds and Move America tax credits to be used for certain infrastructure projects. A Move America bond is treated as a tax-exempt private facility bond with certain exceptions. At least 95% of the net proceeds from the issuance of the bond must be used for infrastructure projects, including airports; docks and wharves; mass commuting facilities; facilities for the furnishing of water; sewage facilities; railroads; certain surface transportation projects eligible for federal assistance, projects for an international bridge or tunnel, or facilities for transferring freight from truck to rail or rail to truck; flood diversions; inland waterways; or rural broadband service infrastructure. The bill specifies exceptions and modifications to existing rules for bonds regarding land acquisition, government ownership, rehabilitation expenditures, and the alternative minimum tax. The bonds are subject to a volume cap equal to 50% of a state's current private activity bond volume cap. States may exchange all or a portion of the volume cap for Move America tax credits to be allocated to taxpayers. The credits include (1) an equity credit for a portion of the basis of each qualified facility; and (2) an infrastructure fund credit for investments in qualified infrastructure funds, including a state infrastructure bank, a water pollution control revolving fund, or a drinking water treatment revolving loan fund.

Bicycle Commuter Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Bicycle Commuter Act of 2019 This bill modifies provisions relating to the tax exclusion for employer-provided fringe benefits for bicycle commuting. Specifically, the bill (1) repeals the suspension (for the period between 2018 and the end of 2025) of the exclusion, (2) includes bikeshare (a bicycle rental operation providing for pick up and drop off) and low-speed electric bicycle within the definition of bicycle for purposes of the exclusion, and (3) modifies the limitation on the exclusion to provide for a specified monthly limitation amount (i.e., 20% of the parking fringe benefit amount).

ABLE Age Adjustment Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

ABLE Age Adjustment Act This bill increases from 26 to 46 the age threshold for tax-favored ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts. (ABLE accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses. To establish an account, an individual must have a qualifying impairment that began before the individual attained the age threshold.)

Wall Street Tax Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Wall Street Tax Act of 2019 This bill imposes a 0.1% excise tax on certain financial transactions such as the purchase of stocks, bonds, and derivatives. The tax applies to the purchase of a security if (1) such purchase occurs on, or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States; or (2) the purchaser or seller is a U.S. person. A "security" includes a share of stock in a corporation; a partnership or beneficial ownership interest in a partnership or trust; a note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness; and derivatives that meet specified criteria. The tax applies to transactions with respect to a derivative if (1) the derivative is traded on, or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States; or (2) any party with rights under the derivative is a U.S. person. The bill exempts from such tax (1) initial issues of securities; and (2) any note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness which is traded on or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States, and has a fixed maturity of not more than 100 days. The tax applies to transactions by a controlled foreign corporation and must be paid by its U.S. shareholders.

Tax Transparency Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2019

Tax Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires the President, the Vice President, Members of Congress, and candidates for such offices to publicly disclose their individual tax returns for the previous seven years.

Puerto Rico Insurance Excise Tax Exemption Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2019

Puerto Rico Insurance Excise Tax Exemption Act of 201 9 This bill exempts from the foreign insurer excise tax certain insurance policies, indemnity bonds, annuity contracts, or reinsurance policies issued by partnerships or corporations created or organized under the laws of a U.S. territory or possession. The exemption applies unless any of the covered hazards, risks, losses, or liabilities are also covered by a reinsurance policy issued by a foreign insurer or reinsurer other than the partnership or corporation.

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020

United States · United States Senate · 28 February 2019

Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2019 This bill provides funding for several programs related to controlling water pollution or protecting drinking water. Specifically, it establishes a Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Trust Fund, increases the corporate income tax rate to 24.5% to provide revenues for such programs, revises requirements concerning the clean water state revolving fund (SRF) and the drinking water SRF, and creates or reauthorizes several grant programs for water infrastructure. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency must establish a grant program for repairing, replacing, or upgrading septic tanks and drainage fields. In addition, the bill makes permanent a grant program for household water well systems in rural areas. It also increases the amount of appropriations for grant programs, including a program that awards grants to prevent lead from contaminating drinking water fountains in schools and day care facilities.

Tax Extender and Disaster Relief Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Tax Extender and Disaster Relief Act of 2019 This bill extends certain tax credits and deductions expiring in 2018 and 2019, and provides disaster tax relief, including penalty-free withdrawal of retirement funds for disaster expenses.

BTU Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2019 or the BTU Act of 2019 This bill expands the tax credit for residential energy efficient property to include 30% of qualified biomass fuel property expenditures for property placed in service before 2024. A qualified biomass fuel property expenditure is an expenditure for property that uses the burning of biomass fuel (a plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis) to heat a dwelling used as a residence, or to heat water for use in such dwelling, and which has a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%. The bill also allows (1) a 15% energy tax credit until 2024 for investment in open-loop biomass heating property, including boilers or furnaces that operate at thermal output efficiencies of at least 65% and provide thermal energy in the form of heat, hot water, or steam for space heating, air conditioning, domestic hot water, or industrial process heat; and (2) a 30% credit until 2024 for investment in such property that operates at a thermal output efficiency of at least 80%.

SMART Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

School Modernization and Revitalization Through Jobs Act, the SMART Jobs Act, or the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools. The bill allocates grant funds among states on the basis of the relative portion of school improvement funds provided to local educational agencies (LEAs) in each state. States shall reallocate the grant funds to LEAs on the basis of each LEA's share of school improvement funds received by LEAs in the state for the previous fiscal year. In addition, ED shall make grants to LEAs that serve specified disaster areas for the construction, modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools. The bill allocates grant funds among LEAs on the basis of each LEA's share of infrastructure damage inflicted on public school facilities in such areas. With specified exceptions, only U.S.-produced iron, steel, and manufactured goods shall be used in projects funded under the bill.

Import Tax Relief Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Import Tax Relief Act of 2019 This bill requires the President to establish a process by which certain articles imported from China may be excluded from duties. Specifically, the bill requires the creation of a process whereby U.S. entities may request that articles imported from China be excluded from duties imposed under the Trade Act of 1974. Such an exclusion must be based on a determination that the article can easily be excluded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and that (1) the article is not commercially available outside of China or produced at a cost-competitive price, (2) a duty on the article would increase consumer prices for everyday items consumed by low- or middle-income families in the United States, or (3) the article does not directly benefit from nonmarket-based policies of China. Further, this exclusion applies retroactively to recently imported articles that would have been subject to a lower rate under this bill.

Forest Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Forest Recovery Act This bill modifies the tax deduction for casualty losses to establish special rules for losses of uncut timber. In the case of the loss of uncut timber from fire, storm, other casualty, or theft, the basis used for determining the amount of the deduction may not be less than the excess of (1) the fair market value of the uncut timber determined immediately before the loss was sustained, over (2) the salvage value of the timber. The rule applies only if (1) the timber was held for the purpose of being cut and sold, and (2) the uncut timber subject to the loss is reforested within five years of the loss. The bill also exempts casualty losses from uncut timber from the rule restricting the deduction for personal casualty losses to losses attributable to a federally declared disaster.

EITC Modernization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

EITC Modernization Act of 2019 This bill extends the earned income tax credit to taxpayers with certain dependents and to qualifying students. It also establishes a matching grant program for tax return preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers.

Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act This bill allows individual and corporate taxpayers a tax credit for cash contributions to tax-exempt scholarship-granting organizations for elementary and secondary education expenses. It imposes a cap of $5 billion on the amount of contributions that qualify for a tax credit. The bill directs the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of the Treasury, to establish, host, and maintain a web portal that (1) lists all eligible scholarship-granting organizations; (2) enables contributions to such organizations; (3) provides information about the benefits of this bill; and (4) enables a state to submit and update information about its programs and scholarship-granting organizations, including information on student eligibility and allowable educational expenses.

Cost-of-Living Refund Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Cost-of-Living Refund Act of 2019 This bill modifies the earned income tax credit to (1) increase its credit percentage and modify the phaseout amount, (2) include for purposes of the credit certain qualifying dependents and students, and (3) set forth requirements for advance payments of the credit.

Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act This bill allows individual and corporate taxpayers a tax credit for cash contributions to certain scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations. It imposes a cap of $10 billion on the sum of contributions that qualify for a tax credit under this bill. The bill requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Departments of the Treasury and Labor, to establish, host, and maintain a web portal that (1) lists all eligible scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations; (2) enables contributions to such organizations; (3) provides information about the benefits of this bill; and (4) enables a state to submit and update information about its programs and educational organizations, including information on student eligibility and allowable educational expenses.

LIFT for Charities Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Lessen Impediments From Taxes for Charities Act or the LIFT for Charities Act This bill modifies the requirements for determining the unrelated business taxable income of tax-exempt organizations. The bill repeals a provision that requires unrelated business taxable income to be increased by the amount of expenses paid or incurred by a tax-exempt organization for certain fringe benefits for which a tax deduction is not allowed, including benefits relating to transportation, parking, or an on-premises athletic facility.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for admission into the United States of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia. The commonwealth shall be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the other states. The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the commonwealth. The bill applies current District laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings. The commonwealth (1) shall consist of all District territory, with specified exclusions for federal buildings and monuments, including the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building; and (2) may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill maintains (1) the District as the seat of the federal government, and (2) the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property. The bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution repealing the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President.

BTU Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2019 or the BTU Act of 2019 This bill expands the tax credit for residential energy efficient property to include 30% of qualified biomass fuel property expenditures for property placed in service before 2024. A qualified biomass fuel property expenditure is an expenditure for property that uses the burning of biomass fuel (a plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis) to heat a dwelling used as a residence, or to heat water for use in such dwelling, and which has a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%. The bill also allows (1) a 15% energy tax credit until 2024 for investment in open-loop biomass heating property, including boilers or furnaces that operate at thermal output efficiencies of at least 65% and provide thermal energy in the form of heat, hot water, or steam for space heating, air conditioning, domestic hot water, or industrial process heat; and (2) a 30% credit until 2024 for investment in such property that operates at a thermal output efficiency of at least 80%.