Congressional Research Service Reports - 60 Matching Results
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- State Estate and Gift Tax Revenue
- P.L. 107-16, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, repeals the federal estate tax for decedents that die in 2010. In addition, the act repeals the credit for state estate taxes for decedents dying after December 31, 2004, and replaces the credit with a deduction. In most states, the repeal of the tax and the significant increase in the federal exclusion will also repeal or diminish state estate, inheritance, and gift taxes.
- Summary of Joint Committee on Taxation's Staff Proposals Relating to Charitable Contributions
- No Description Available.
- U.S. Taxation of Overseas Investment and Income: Background and Issues in 2005
- This report is on U.S. Taxation of Overseas Investment and Income: Background and Issues in 2005.
- State Investment Tax Credits, the Commerce Clause, and Cuno v. DaimlerChrysler
- No Description Available.
- State Corporate Income Taxes: A Description and Analysis
- No Description Available.
- Political Organizations Under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code
- Political organizations have the primary purpose of influencing federal, state, or local elections and conducting similar activities. Those that qualify under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code are taxed only on a certain income. Under the Code, 527 organizations are subject to reporting requirements that involve registration, the periodic disclosure of contributions and expenditures, and the annual filing of tax returns. Section 527 organizations must also comply with applicable campaign finance laws. This report will briefly describe these organizations and the reporting requirements they face under the Code. The report will be updated as events warrant.
- Extending the 2001, 2003, and 2004 Tax Cuts
- This report discusses the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA, and the Working Family Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA). Since all of the tax reductions provisions of all three of these acts expire at some point in the future, Congress faces the issue of whether to extend and/or make the reductions permanent. Extending these tax reductions, however, is likely to significantly reduce federal revenues in the future.
- Extending the 2001, 2003, and 2004 Tax Cuts
- This report discusses the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA, and the Working Family Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA). Since all of the tax reductions provisions of all three of these acts expire at some point in the future, Congress faces the issue of whether to extend and/or make the reductions permanent. Extending these tax reductions, however, is likely to significantly reduce federal revenues in the future.
- Internet Taxation: Issues and Legislation
- The Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) placed a three-year moratorium on the ability of state and local governments to (1) impose new taxes on Internet access or (2) impose any multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. The act grandfathered the state and local access taxes that were “... generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1, 1998 ....” This report discusses issues of state and local taxation of Internet transactions because commerce conducted by parties in different states over the Internet.
- Energy Tax Policy
- This report brief discusses the history, current posture, and outlook for federal energy tax policy.
- Major Tax Issues in the 109th Congress
- Congress considered a variety of tax issues over the course of 2004. Some of these were relatively narrow, applying to particular sectors or activities: energy taxation, charitable giving and charities, Internet taxation, tax shelters, and a variety of expiring tax benefits that apply to particular investments or activities. More prominent, however, were two more general issues that were the focus of tax policy deliberations for much of the year: domestic and international business taxation; and the extension of temporary tax cuts for individuals that were initially enacted in 2001 and in 2003.
- The Potential Distributional Effects of the Alternative Minimum Tax
- No Description Available.
- The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals: Legislative Initiatives and Their Revenue Effects
- This report discusses legislative initiatives regarding the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals, which was originally enacted to ensure that all taxpayers, especially high-income taxpayers, paid at least a minimum amount of federal taxes.
- Taxes and Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Reconciliation: A Brief Summary
- On April 28, 2005, Congress approved an FY2006 budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 95) with reconciliation instructions calling for three bills: a bill containing spending cuts ($1.5 billion in FY2006 and $34.7 billion over five years); a bill increasing the public debt limit by $781 billion (to $8,965 billion); and a bill containing tax cuts.
- The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals: Legislative Initiatives and Their Revenue Effects
- This report discusses legislative initiatives regarding the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals, which was originally enacted to ensure that all taxpayers, especially high-income taxpayers, paid at least a minimum amount of federal taxes.
- The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals: Legislative Initiatives and Their Revenue Effects
- This report discusses legislative initiatives regarding the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals, which was originally enacted to ensure that all taxpayers, especially high-income taxpayers, paid at least a minimum amount of federal taxes.
- Taxes and Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Reconciliation: A Brief Summary
- On April 28, 2005, Congress approved an FY2006 budget resolution (H.Con.Res.95) with reconciliation instructions calling for three bills: a bill containing spending cuts ($1.5 billion in FY2006 and $34.7 billion over five years); a bill increasing the public debt limit by $781 billion (to $8,965 billion); and a bill containing tax cuts.
- Federal Income Tax Thresholds for Selected Years: 1996 through 2006
- No Description Available.
- Major Tax Issues in the 109th Congress
- Report on tax issues facing Congress in late 2005, including state of the economy, federal budget, Hurricane Katrina, and more.
- Value-Added Tax as a New Revenue Source
- This report discusses the valueadded tax (VAT), which has been frequently discussed as a full or partial replacement for the U.S. income tax system.
- Federal Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products: Rates and Revenues
- This report examines increases in excise tax rates on tobacco products contained in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33). Under that act, the increased rates on tobacco products became effective in two stages. The first scheduled increase in rates occurred on January 1, 2000, while the second increase in rates occurred two years later on January 1, 2002
- Energy Tax Policy
- This report brief discusses the history, current posture, and outlook for federal energy tax policy.
- Taxation of Unemployment Benefits
- Unemployment compensation (UC) benefits have been fully subject to the federal income tax since the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-514). Individuals who receive UC benefits during a year may elect to have the federal (and in some cases state) income tax withheld from their benefits. Legislation was introduced in the 108th Congress that would have repealed the taxation of UC benefits, provided a two-year suspension of the taxation of UC benefits, or transferred the proceeds from taxing UC benefits to the Unemployment Trust Fund. This report provides an overview of the taxation of UC benefits and legislation related to taxing UC benefits.
- Federal Deductibility of State and Local Taxes
- This report addresses the potential impact of changing the status of federal deductibility on state and local government tax systems, individual taxpayers, and the federal budget.
- Alternative Minimum Taxpayers by State
- This report discusses the alternative minimum tax (AMT) with respect to the percentage of taxpayers who fall under the AMT as divided by state. The report also briefly addresses related legislation.
- Value-Added Tax as a New Revenue Source
- President George W. Bush has stated that tax reform will be one of his top priorities in the 109th Congress. Some form of a valueadded tax (VAT) has been frequently discussed as a replacement to the U.S. income tax system. In addition, some Members of Congress have expressed interest in the feasibility of using a value-added tax to finance health care reform.
- Federal Excise Tax on Tires: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
- This report examines the history of the federal excise tax on tires. The excise tax on tires was first levied in 1918 mainly because of revenue needs brought about by World War I. The tax was reduced after the war, and then repealed in 1926. The levy was reintroduced during the Great Depression at a time when federal individual income tax revenues were plummeting, and was increased to help finance World War II. Today, the premise for the excise tax on tires is that heavier vehicles cause greater damage to both roadways and bridges, and that the excise tax on tires resembles a pricing mechanism that is a proxy for highway wear-and-tear charges.
- Federal Taxation of the Pharmaceutical Industry: Effects on New Drug Development and Legislative Initiatives in the 109th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Economic Analysis of the Charitable Contribution Deduction for Non-Itemizers
- The 107th Congress version of (H.R. 7), passed by the House, had eight new tax provisions designed to benefit charities and charitable giving, the most important one being the charitable deduction for non-itemizers.This report focuses on the economic effect of the deduction for nonitemizers, assessing the incentive such deductions would create for increased charitable giving.
- The Federal Rulemaking Process: An Overview
- No Description Available.
- Estate and Gift Taxes: Economic Issues
- The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA, P.L. 107-16) repeals the estate tax in 2010. During the phase-out period, the new law increases the exempt amount to $3.5 million by 2009 ($1.5 million in 2005), lowers the top rate to 45% by 2007 (the top rate in 2005 is 47%), and repeals the federal credit for state death taxes in 2005. The federal gift tax remains though the rate is reduced to the top personal income tax rate (35% in 2005). After repeal of the estate tax, carryover basis replaces step-up in basis for assets transferred at death. The legislation includes an exemption from carryover basis for capital gains of $1.3 million (and an additional $3 million for a surviving spouse). However, the estate tax provision in EGTRRA automatically sunsets December 31, 2010.
- Income Tax Relief in Times of Disaster
- In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, disaster areas have been designated in 64 parishes in Louisiana, 52 counties in Mississippi, six counties in Alabama, and three counties in Florida. Special provisions are available for taxpayers to help recover from the impact of a disaster.
- An Overview of Tax Benefits for Higher Education Expenses
- Report on tax benefits that can be used for higher education expenses, including the associated benefits, student loans, incentives, beneficiaries, and more.
- Fundamental Tax Reform: Options for the Mortgage Interest Deduction
- No Description Available.
- Application Process for Seeking 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
- Charities and other entities seeking tax-exempt status as 501(c)(3) organizations generally must apply to the Internal Revenue Service. This report provides an overview of the application process.
- Gasoline Excise Tax — Historical Revenues: Fact Sheet
- This report provides a fact sheet about the Gasoline Excise Tax - Historical Revenues. The gas tax was regarded as a user tax where the federal government has imposed a gasoline excise tax with the passage of the revenue act in 1932.
- Flat Tax Proposals and Fundamental Tax Reform: An Overview
- President George W. Bush has stated that tax reform is one of his top priorities in the 109th Congress. On January 7, 2005, he appointed a nine-member bipartisan panel to study the “complicated mess” posed by the federal tax code and to propose options to reform the code.
- Overview of the Federal Tax System
- No Description Available.
- Extending the 2001, 2003, and 2004 Tax Cuts
- This report discusses the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA, and the Working Family Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA). Since all of the tax reductions provisions of all three of these acts expire at some point in the future, Congress faces the issue of whether to extend and/or make the reductions permanent. Extending these tax reductions, however, is likely to significantly reduce federal revenues in the future.
- Estate Tax Legislation in the 109th Congress
- Under provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA, P.L. 107-16), the estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax are scheduled to be repealed effective January 1, 2010. But the estate tax repeal, and all other provisions of EGTRRA, are scheduled to sunset December 31, 2010. If the sunset provision is not repealed, or the law is not otherwise changed beforehand, in 2011 estate and gift tax law will return to what it would have been had EGTRRA never been enacted. The unified estate and gift taxes will be reinstated with an exclusion amount of $1 million. The maximum tax rate will revert to 55%.
- The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Percentage of Total Tax Returns and Credit Amount by State
- The earned income tax credit (EITC), established in the tax code in 1975, offers cash aid to working parents with relatively low incomes who care for dependent children. The EITC is the only federal cash aid available to all working poor families with children. For eligible filers with income tax liability, the EITC reduces their taxes.
- Estate Taxes and Family Businesses: Economic Issues
- The 2001 tax revision began a phaseout of the estate tax, by increasing exemptions and lowering rates. The estate tax is scheduled to be repealed in 2010 and a provision to tax appreciation on inherited assets (in excess of a limit) will be substituted. The 2001 tax provisions sunset, however, so that absent a change making them permanent the estate tax will revert, in 2011, to prior, pre-2001, law.
- Export Tax Benefits and the WTO: The Extraterritorial Income Exclusion and Foreign Sales Corporations
- No Description Available.
- Should Credit Unions Be Taxed?
- Credit unions are financial cooperatives organized by people with a common bond; they are the only depository institutions that are exempt from the federal corporate income tax. As financial cooperatives, credit unions only accept deposits of members and make loans only to members, other credit unions, or credit union organizations. Many Members of Congress advocate a reliance on market forces rather than tax policy to allocate resources. Furthermore, some Members of Congress are interested in additional sources of revenue in order to either reduce the deficit, offset the cost of higher federal outlays, or make up for tax cuts elsewhere. Consequently, the exemption of credit unions from federal income taxes has been questioned.
- H.R. 3768: the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005
- This report compares the provisions in H.R. 3768, the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005, as passed by the House with those in the amended version of the bill that was passed by the Senate.
- Tax Deductions for Catastrophic Risk Insurance Reserves: Explanation and Economic Analysis
- No Description Available.
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Tax Credit
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit are temporary provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Since their initiation in the mid-1990s, the Congress has allowed the credits to lapse four of the five times they were up for reauthorization. In each instance, they were reinstated retroactive to their expiration dates as part of large tax-related measures. The employment tax credits never have been addressed independently of broader legislation. This report describes the WOTC and WtW Tax Credit and outlines issues for members of Congress.
- List of Temporary Tax Provisions: "Extenders" Expiring in 2005
- Several temporary tax provisions will expire this year. Often referred to as “extenders,” these provisions were originally enacted with an expiration date that may well be extended. Several have been extended numerous times in the past, sometimes after their expiration date. The extenders provide special tax treatment for certain types of activities and investment and benefit both individuals and corporations. They occur in a variety of policy areas including wage credits to support employment of certain populations; excise taxes on fuel, tires, and other commodities; energy production incentives; deductions for charitable contributions; special depreciation allowances; and many others.
- The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals: Legislative Initiatives and Their Revenue Effects
- This report describes the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), specifically revenue effects of modifying AMT and Legislative Initiatives.
- Individual Accounts: What Rate of Return Would They Earn?
- It has been proposed to add individual accounts to Social Security in which investors could hold private securities. Calculations that project the earnings of individual accounts typically presume that they will earn a rate of return equal or close to the historical rate of return. But is there evidence that future rates of return will differ from history in predictable ways?