Establishment of lifelong learning accounts

(a)

In general

Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to computation of taxable income) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and inserting after section 223 the following new section:

224.

Lifelong learning accounts

(a)

Deduction allowed

In the case of any eligible individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to the aggregate amount paid in cash during such taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to a lifelong learning account of such individual. (b)

Lifelong learning accounts

For purposes of this title, the term lifelong learning account means a trust created or organized in the United States for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual, but only if the written governing instrument creating the trust meets the following requirements: (1)No contribution will be accepted unless it is in cash. (2)The trustee is a bank (as defined in section 408(n)), an agency or instrumentality of a State, or another person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the manner in which that person will administer the trust will be consistent with the requirements of this section. (3)No part of the trust assets will be invested in any collectible (as defined in section 408(m)). (4)The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund. (c)

Tax treatment of distributions

(1)

In general

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any amount distributed out of a lifelong learning account shall be included in gross income by the distributee. (2)

Qualified higher education expenses

(A)

In general

No amount shall be includible in gross income under paragraph (1) if the qualified higher education expenses of the individual for whom the account was established during the taxable year are not less than the aggregate distributions from the account during such taxable year. (B)

Distributions in excess of expenses

If the aggregate distributions from a lifelong learning account for any taxable year exceed the qualified higher education expenses of the individual for whom the account was established during the taxable year, the amount otherwise includible in gross income under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which would be includible in gross income under paragraph (1) (without regard to this subparagraph) as such expenses bear to such aggregate distributions. (C)

Election to waive exclusion

A taxpayer may elect to waive the application of this paragraph for any taxable year. (D)

No double benefit

No exclusion, credit, or deduction shall be allowed to the taxpayer under this chapter for any qualified higher education expenses taken into account in determining the amount of the exclusion under this paragraph. (3)

Additional tax

(A)

In general

The tax imposed by this chapter on the account holder for any taxable year in which there is a distribution from a lifelong learning account includible in gross income under paragraph (1) shall be increased by 15 percent of the amount so includible. (B)

Exceptions

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the distribution is made after the account holder dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)). (4)

Transfer of account incident to divorce

The transfer of an individual’s interest in a lifelong learning account to such individual’s former spouse under a divorce decree or under a written instrument incident to a divorce shall not be considered a taxable transfer made by such individual notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, and such interest at the time of the transfer shall be treated as a lifelong learning account of such spouse and not of such individual. Thereafter such account shall be treated, for purposes of this subtitle, as maintained for the benefit of such spouse. (d)

Time when contributions deemed made

A taxpayer shall be deemed to have made a contribution on the last day of a taxable year if the contribution is made on account of such taxable year and is made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (not including extensions thereof). (e)

Tax treatment of accounts

(1)

In general

A lifelong learning account shall be exempt from taxation under this subtitle. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any lifelong learning account shall be subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating to imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc., organizations). (2)

Loss of exemption of account where individual engages in prohibited transaction

(A)

In general

If, during any taxable year of the individual for whose benefit the lifelong learning account is established, the individual engages in any transaction prohibited by section 4975 with respect to the account, the account shall cease to be a lifelong learning account as of the first day of that taxable year. (B)

Account treated as distributing all its assets

In any case in which any account ceases to be a lifelong learning account by reason of subparagraph (A) on the first day of any taxable year, paragraph (1) of subsection (c) shall be applied as if there were a distribution on such first day in an amount equal to the fair market value (on such first day) of all assets in the account (on such first day). (3)

Effect of pledging account as security

If, during any taxable year, an individual for whose benefit a lifelong learning account is established uses the account or any portion thereof as security for a loan, the portion so used shall be treated as distributed to that individual. (4)

Rollover contributions

Subsection (c)(1) shall not apply to any amount paid or distributed out of a lifelong learning account to the individual for whose benefit the account is maintained if such amount is paid into another lifelong learning account for the benefit of such individual not later than the 60th day after the day on which the individual receives the payment or distribution. (f)

Other definitions

For purposes of this section— (1)

Eligible individual

The term eligible individual means an individual who— (A)is an employee or a self-employed individual (within the meaning of section 401(c)(1)(B)), and (B)is a resident of a State designated by the Secretary under subsection (i), on the date the lifelong learning account is established for such individual. (2)

Qualified higher education expenses

The term qualified higher education expenses means— (A)the expenses and courses of instruction described in section 127(c)(1), and (B)such expenses, including tools, equipment, information technology devices, and training and apprenticeship programs, as the Secretary shall prescribe after consultation with the Secretary of Labor. (g)

Custodial accounts

For purposes of this section, a custodial account shall be treated as a trust if the assets of such account are held by a bank (as defined in section 408(n)) or another person who demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the manner in which such person will administer the account will be consistent with the requirements of this section, and if the custodial account would, except for the fact that it is not a trust, constitute a lifelong learning account described in subsection (b). For purposes of this title, in the case of a custodial account treated as a trust by reason of the preceding sentence, the custodian of such account shall be treated as the trustee thereof. (h)

Reports

The trustee of a lifelong learning account shall make such reports regarding such account to the Secretary and to the individual for whose benefit the account is maintained with respect to contributions, distributions, and such other matters as the Secretary may require under regulations. The reports required by this subsection shall be filed at such time and in such manner and furnished to such individuals at such time and in such manner as may be required by those regulations. (i)

Establishment of demonstration program

From among States which apply (in such form and manner and at such time as the Secretary determines), the Secretary shall designate 10 States in which residents shall be treated as eligible individuals. (j)

Limitation on number of taxpayers having lifelong learning accounts

(1)

In general

No individual shall be treated as an eligible individual for any taxable year beginning after the cut-off year unless such individual was an eligible individual for any taxable year ending on or before the close of the cut-off year. (2)

Cut-off year

For purposes of paragraph (1), the term cut-off year means the first calendar year for which the Secretary determines that the number of eligible individuals for whom a lifelong learning account has been established exceeds 200,000 by the close of such calendar year. (3)

Reporting

The Secretary shall establish such reporting requirements for trustees of lifelong learning accounts as are necessary to carry out this subsection. (k)

Special rules for employer contributions

In the case of any contribution by an employer to a lifetime learning account made on behalf of an employee, rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) through (6) of section 127(b) shall apply.

(b)

Deduction allowed whether or not individual itemizes other deductions

Subsection (a) of section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after paragraph (21) the following new paragraph:

(22)

Lifelong learning accounts

The deduction allowed under section 224.

(c)

Employer contributions excluded from income

Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to educational assistance) is amended by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e) and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:

(d)

Employer contributions to lifelong learning account

Gross income of an employee of an employer shall not include the amount of any contribution by the employer to a lifelong learning account established on behalf of the employee.

(d)

Exclusion from employment taxes

(1)

Railroad retirement tax

Subsection (e) of section 3231 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(13)

Lifelong learning account contributions

The term compensation shall not include any payment made to or for the benefit of an employee if at the time of such payment it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such payment from income under section 127(d).

(2)

Unemployment tax

Subsection (b) of section 3306 of such Code is amended by striking or at the end of paragraph (18), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (19) and inserting ; or, and by inserting after paragraph (19) the following new paragraph:

(20)any payment made to or for the benefit of an employee if at the time of such payment it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such payment from income under section 127(d).

(3)

Withholding tax

Subsection (a) of section 3401 of such Code is amended by striking or at the end of paragraph (21), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (22) and inserting ; or, and by inserting after paragraph (22) the following new paragraph:

(23)any payment made to or for the benefit of an employee if at the time of such payment it is reasonable to believe that the employee will be able to exclude such payment from income under section 127(d).

(4)

Employer contributions required to be shown on W-2

Subsection (a) of section 6051 of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (13) and inserting , and, and by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new paragraph:

(14)the amount contributed to any lifelong learning account (as defined in section 224) on behalf of such employee.

(e)

Tax on prohibited transactions

(1)Paragraph (1) of section 4975(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to prohibited transactions) is amended by redesignating subparagraphs (H) and (I) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively, and by inserting the following new subparagraph after subparagraph (G):

(H)a lifelong learning account described in section 224(b),

(2)Subsection (c) of section 4975 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(7)

Special rule for lifelong learning accounts

An individual for whose benefit a lifelong learning account is established shall be exempt from the tax imposed by this section with respect to any transaction concerning such account (which would otherwise be taxable under this section) if, with respect to such transaction, the account ceases to be a lifelong learning account by reason of the application of section 224(e)(2)(A) to such account.

(f)

Failure To provide reports on lifelong learning accounts

Paragraph (2) of section 6693(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking and at the end of subparagraph (D), by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F), and by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph:

(E)section 224(h) (relating to lifelong learning accounts), and

(g)

Exemption from ERISA requirements

A lifelong learning account (as defined in section 224 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section) shall not be treated as an employee welfare benefit plan for purposes of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. (h)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating the item relating to section 224 as an item relating to section 225 and inserting after the item relating to section 223 the following new item:

Sec. 224. Lifelong learning accounts.

(i)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

Tax treatment of contributions by employers to lifelong learning accounts of their employees

(a)

Allowance of credit to employers

(1)

In general

Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45O.

Contributions by employers to lifelong learning accounts

(a)

In general

For purposes of section 38, in the case of an employer, the lifelong learning contribution credit determined under this section for any taxable year is an amount equal to the aggregate qualified lifelong learning contributions of the employer for the taxable year. (b)

Qualified lifelong learning contribution

For purposes of this section— (1)

In general

The term qualified lifelong learning contribution means a contribution made by an employer on behalf of an employee of such employer to a lifelong learning account established on behalf of such employee. (2)

Dollar limitation

The aggregate contributions made by an employer on behalf of any employee which may be treated as qualified lifelong learning contributions for any calendar year shall not exceed the lesser of— (A)the contributions made by the employee to the employee’s lifelong learning account during the calendar year, or (B)$500. (c)

No reduction in education benefits

No credit shall be allowed under this section to any employer for any taxable year unless such employer certifies (in such form and manner as the Secretary may provide) that such employer has not reduced the education and tuition benefits provided by the employer to its employees. (d)

Definitions and special rules

For purposes of this section— (1)

Definitions

Any term used in this section which is also used in section 529A shall have the same meaning as when used in such section. (2)

Special rules

Rules similar to the rules of section 45E(e) shall apply for purposes of this section. (3)

Self-employed individuals

A self-employed individual (within the meaning of section 401(c)(1)(B)) shall not be treated as an employee.

(2)

Credit part of general business credit

Section 38(b) of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (30), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (31) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(32)the lifelong learning contribution credit determined under section 45O.

(3)

Deduction for unused credit

Section 196(c) of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (13) and inserting , and, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(14)the employer lifelong learning contribution credit determined under section 45O(a).

(4)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45O. Contributions by employers to lifelong learning accounts.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.