Congressional Research Service Reports - 68 Matching Results

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The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): An Overview: This report provides an overview of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), first discussing eligibility requirements for the credit, followed by how the credit is computed and paid. The report then provides data on the growth of the EITC since it was first enacted in 1975. Finally the report concludes with data on the EITC claimed on 2015 tax returns, examining EITC claims by number of qualifying children, income level, tax filing status, and location of residence.
Higher Education Tax Benefits: Brief Overview and Budgetary Effects: This report provides a brief overview of the higher education tax benefits that are currently available to students and their families. These tax benefits can be divided into three groups: incentives for current year expenses, incentives for preferential tax treatment of student loan expenses, and incentives for saving for college.
Residential Energy Tax Credits: Overview and Analysis: This report discusses current residential energy tax credits, options to extend or modify them, and an analysis of their effectiveness.
Tax Incentives for Opportunity Zones: In Brief: This report discusses tax incentives for opportunity zones (OZ) which are low-income areas selected by state governors for revitalization efforts. This report briefly describes what census tracts are eligible to be nominated as an OZ by the "chief executive officer" (typically, the governor) of each state or territory, what types of entities can be certified as Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs), and the tax benefits of investments in QOFs.
Border-Adjusted Consumption Taxes and Exchange Rate Movements: Theory and Evidence: This report provides a basic framework for understanding how and why exchange rates could respond to a Border-Adjusted Tax (BAT). It first describes a BAT(which does not tax exports) and uses several examples to illustrate how one works. It then summarizes the standard economic theory of how exchange rates should respond to a BAT, as well as the arguments against the theoretical predictions. Finally, this report reviews the existing literature that has empirically investigated the relationship between exchange rates and BAT systems in other countries.
The Internet Tax Freedom Act: In Brief: This report discusses the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA; P.L. 105-277) enacted in 1998, which implemented a three-year moratorium preventing state and local governments from taxing Internet access, or imposing multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.
Federal Deductibility of State and Local Taxes: No Description Available.
Selected Recently Expired Business Tax Provisions ("Tax Extenders"): This report briefly summarizes and discusses the economic impact of selected business-related tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013 and that are being considered for extension.
Expired and Expiring Temporary Tax Provisions ("Tax Extenders"): This report discusses dozens of temporary tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013, and several other temporary tax provisions that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2014.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): An Overview: This report discusses the earned income tax credit (EITC), established in the tax code in 1975, which offers cash aid to working parents with relatively low incomes who care for dependent children.
Expired and Expiring Temporary Tax Provisions (“Tax Extenders”): No Description Available.
State Taxation of Internet Transactions: This report intends to clarify significant issues in the remote sales tax collection debate, beginning with a description of state and local sales and use taxes. Congress has a role in this issue because interstate commerce, in most cases, falls under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution.
"Amazon Laws" and Taxation of Internet Sales: Constitutional Analysis: This report focuses on the ways in which the states' efforts to impose requirements on out-of-state retailers are limited by the Constitution. The report discusses recent state legislation as well as legislation introduced in the two most recent Congresses.
Business Organizational Choices: Taxation and Responses to Legislative Changes: This report consists of business organizational choices with taxation and responses to legislative changes.
An Overview of Tax Provisions Expiring in 2012: A number of tax provisions either expired in 2011 or are scheduled to expire at the end of this 2012. As Congress decides whether to extend these provisions, it may consider the estimated revenue losses associated with their extension as well as other factors when evaluating tax policy. In the 112th Congress, Members have yet to consider legislation that would extend all of the provisions discussed in this report, although legislation to extend certain provisions has been considered.
Energy Tax Policy: Issues in the 112th Congress: The economic rationale for interventions in energy markets helps inform the debate surrounding energy tax policy. This report begins by providing background on the economic rationale for energy market interventions, highlighting various market failures. After identifying possible market failures in the production and consumption of energy, possible interventions are discussed. The report concludes with an analysis of energy tax policy as it stands at the start of the 112th Congress.
Energy Tax Policy: Issues in the 112th Congress: The economic rationale for interventions in energy markets helps inform the debate surrounding energy tax policy. This report begins by providing background on the economic rationale for energy market interventions, highlighting various market failures. After identifying possible market failures in the production and consumption of energy, possible interventions are discussed. The report concludes with an analysis of energy tax policy as it stands at the start of the 112th Congress.
Estate Tax Options: After a brief description of the estate and gift tax and of options, this report compares the alternatives, focusing largely on a $1 million exemption and 55% rate, a $3.5 million exemption and a 45% rate, and a $5 million exemption and a 35% rate. Several policy effects and issues are analyzed: the share of decedents subject to tax, revenue effects, distributional effects, and effects on savings, charitable contributions, and compliance and administration. The report also considers other aspects of the proposals, such as whether the exemptions are indexed for inflation, a proposed inheritance of the exemption for spouses, and proposals to address perceived abuses.
Tax Credit Bonds: Overview and Analysis: Tax Credit Bonds (TCBs) are a type of bond that offers the holder a federal tax credit instead of interest. This report explains the tax credit mechanism and describes the market for the bonds. It also discusses related pieces of legislation and what the most common uses of the proceeds from TCBs are.
Business Tax Issues in 2009: This report discusses the tax climate for businesses, while economic stimulus proposals dominate the congressional debate. During 2009, it is anticipated that congressional deliberations will once again turn towards the extension of several expiring business tax provisions, energy taxation, tax shelters, and international taxation, while continuing to examine opportunities to stimulate the economy.
Retirement Savings and Household Wealth in 2007: This report discusses various issues that impact the retirement income of Americans. About half of all workers in the United States participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan of some kind, a proportion that has remained relatively stable over the past thirty years. Because the majority of assets held in retirement accounts are invested in stocks, trends in stock prices have a significant impact on households' retirement account balances.
Tax Gap: Administration Proposal to Require Information Reporting on Merchant Payment Card Reimbursements: The high current and forecast budget deficits as well as pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) procedures have resulted in congressional and executive branch interest in raising additional revenue through proposals for improved tax compliance. The Bush Administration’s FY2009 budget includes a proposal (the proposal) to require each payment card processor to inform the IRS on the net dollar amount paid to reimburse each merchant (i.e., seller) for his payment card receipts in a calendar year. Payment cards consist of both credit cards and debit cards. This report examines the proposal by describing current law, presenting the proposal contained in the FY2009 budget, describing the structure of the payment card industry, analyzing the justifications for the proposal, explaining the criticisms of the proposal, and offering concluding observations.
Churches and Campaign Activity: Analysis Under Tax and Campaign Finance Laws: This report examines the restrictions imposed on campaign activity by churches under tax and campaign finance laws, discusses recent IRS inquiries into such activity, and analyzes H.R. 2275.
Conservation Reserve Program Payments: Self-Employment Income, Rental Income, or Something Else?: This report outlines the history of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the changing positions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pertinent case law, and other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Several possible approaches to the taxation of CRP payments are discussed.
Export Tax Benefits and the WTO: The Extraterritorial Income Exclusion and Foreign Sales Corporations: No Description Available.
Increasing the Social Security Payroll Tax Base: Options and Effects on Tax Burdens: This report provides information on the options and effects of increasing the social security payroll tax.
Tax-Exempt Organizations: Political Activity Restrictions and Disclosure Requirements: No Description Available.
Firms That Incorporate Abroad for Tax Purposes: Corporate “Inversions” and “Expatriation”: This report provides information about the Corporate "Inversions" and "Expatriation" on Firms That Incorporate Abroad for Tax Purposes where increasing number of U.S firms have altered their structure by substituting a foreign parent corporation for a domestic one.
The Effects of Government Expenditures and Revenues on the Economy and Economic Well-Being: A Cross-National Analysis: Congress passed and the President signed a reconciliation bill (P.L. 109-171) to reduce mandatory spending by $39 billion between FY2006 and FY2010. A revenue reduction reconciliation bill (H.R. 4297) has not been enacted as of the date of this report. Many argue that tax and spending reductions will stimulate economic growth, whereas many others argue that tax cuts will lead to a larger deficit with adverse economic effects and that spending cuts will reduce critical government services. This report examines the effects of government spending and taxation on economic growth and economic well-being by comparing the United States with 20 other industrial Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.
The Effects of Government Expenditures and Revenues on the Economy and Economic Well-Being: A Cross-National Analysis: Congress passed and the President signed a reconciliation bill (P.L. 109-171) to reduce mandatory spending by $39 billion between FY2006 and FY2010. A revenue reduction reconciliation bill (H.R. 4297) has not been enacted as of the date of this report. Many argue that tax and spending reductions will stimulate economic growth, whereas many others argue that tax cuts will lead to a larger deficit with adverse economic effects and that spending cuts will reduce critical government services. This report examines the effects of government spending and taxation on economic growth and economic well-being by comparing the United States with 20 other industrial Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.
The Federal Excise Tax on Gasoline and the Highway Trust Fund: A Short History: Excise taxes have long been a part of our country's revenue history. The federal government first imposed its excise tax on gasoline at a one-cent per gallon rate in 1932 to correct a federal budgetary imbalance. The burden for much of the tax ultimately falls on the consumer. The Highway Revenue Act of 1956 established the federal Highway Trust Fund for the direct purpose of funding the construction of an interstate highway system and aiding in the finance of primary, secondary, and urban routes. This act increased the tax on gasoline from two to three cents per gallon. President Bush recently signed a piece of legislation that calls for the extension of the Highway Trust Fund excise tax and an eventual expiration after September 30, 2011.
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.
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
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.
Energy Tax Policy: This report discusses the history, current posture, and outlook for federal energy tax policy. It also discusses recent energy tax proposals, focusing on the major energy tax provisions that were debated as part of omnibus energy legislation in the 108th Congress (e.g., H.R. 6), which may be reintroduced in the 109th 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.
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.
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.
Export Tax Benefits and the WTO: The Extraterritorial Income Exclusion and Foreign Sales Corporations: No Description Available.
The Alternative Minimum Tax for Individuals: This report provides a brief overview of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals, discusses the issues associated with the current system, and describes current legislation to amend the AMT. The report will be updated as legislative action warrants.
The Retirement Savings Tax Credit: A Fact Sheet: This report discusses the saver's tax credit, under which eligible individuals receive a non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 for contributing to a traditional IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan that is qualified under §401, §403 or §457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The credit was first available in 2002 but will expire after 2006 unless extended by Congress.
The Retirement Savings Tax Credit: A Fact Sheet: No Description Available.
How Unanimous Consent Agreements Regulate Senate Floor Action: No Description Available.
Estate Tax Legislation in the 108th Congress: Under provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA, P.L. 107-16, enacted June 7, 2001), the estate tax is scheduled to be repealed in 2010 but reinstated in 2011. All tax cut provisions of EGTRRA are scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2010. This report tracks actions in the 108th Congress to permanently repeal the estate tax or to retain but alter the tax.
Super-Majority Voting Requirement for Tax Increases: An Overview of Proposals for a Constitutional Amendment: No Description Available.
Export Tax Benefits and the WTO: Foreign Sales Corporations and the Extraterritorial Replacement Provisions: No Description Available.
Federal Tax Benefits for Families' K-12 Education Expenses in the Context of School Choice: This report provides information about the Federal Tax Benefits for Families' K-12 Education Expenses in the Context of School Choice. Some believe that comprehensive school reform is needed to improve the quality of secondary and elementary education.
Major Tax Issues in the 108th Congress: No Description Available.
Alcohol Beverages: Labeling and Health Claims: This report concerns rules created in 2003 by the Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau that prohibits manufacturers from advertising substantive health benefits from alcoholic beverages. Moreover, the report covers the history and debate on this issue and of the Bureau.
A History of Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Taxes: In this report, the history of the federal transfer taxes, has been divided into four parts: (1) the federal death and gift taxes utilized in the period 1789 to 1915; (2) the development of the modern estate and gift taxes from 1916 through 1975; (3) the creation and refinement of a unified estate and gift tax system, supplemented by a generation-skipping transfer tax; and (4) the phase out and repeal of the estate and generation-skipping taxes, with the gift tax being retained as a device to protect the integrity of the income tax.

Congressional Research Service Reports - 68 Matching Results

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