Short title, etc

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008

. (b)

Amendment of 1986 Code

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (c)

Table of contents

The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title, etc.

Sec. 2. Modification of penalty on understatement of taxpayer’s liability by tax return preparer.

Sec. 3. Removal of cellular telephones (or similar telecommunications equipment) from listed property.

Sec. 4. Delay of application of withholding requirement on certain governmental payments for goods and services.

Sec. 5. Elderly and disabled individuals receiving in-home care under certain government programs not subject to employment tax provisions.

Sec. 6. Referrals to low income taxpayer clinics permitted.

Sec. 7. Programs for the benefit of low-income taxpayers.

Sec. 8. EITC outreach.

Sec. 9. Prohibition on IRS debt indicators for predatory refund anticipation loans.

Sec. 10. Study on delivery of tax refunds.

Sec. 11. Extension of time for return of property for wrongful levy.

Sec. 12. Individuals held harmless on wrongful levy, etc., on individual retirement plan.

Sec. 13. Taxpayer notification of suspected identity theft.

Sec. 14. Repeal of authority to enter into private debt collection contracts.

Sec. 15. Clarification of IRS unclaimed refund authority.

Sec. 16. Prohibition on misuse of Department of the Treasury names and symbols.

Sec. 17. Substantiation of amounts paid or distributed out of health savings account.

Sec. 18. Certain domestically controlled foreign persons performing services under contract with United States Government treated as American employers.

Sec. 19. Time for payment of corporate estimated tax.

Sec. 20 GAO study on health savings accounts.

Modification of penalty on understatement of taxpayer’s liability by tax return preparer

(a)

In general

Subsection (a) of section 6694 (relating to understatement due to unreasonable positions) is amended to read as follows:

(a)

Understatement due to unreasonable positions

(1)

In general

If a tax return preparer— (A)prepares any return or claim of refund with respect to which any part of an understatement of liability is due to a position described in paragraph (2), and (B)knew (or reasonably should have known) of the position,

such tax return preparer shall pay a penalty with respect to each such return or claim in an amount equal to the greater of $1,000 or 50 percent of the income derived (or to be derived) by the tax return preparer with respect to the return or claim.

(2)

Unreasonable position

(A)

In general

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a position is described in this paragraph unless there is or was substantial authority for the position. (B)

Disclosed positions

If the position was disclosed as provided in section 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii)(I) and is not a position to which subparagraph (C) applies, the position is described in this paragraph unless there is a reasonable basis for the position. (C)

Tax shelters and reportable transactions

If the position is with respect to a tax shelter (as defined in section 6662(d)(2)(C)(ii)) or a reportable transaction to which section 6662A applies, the position is described in this paragraph unless it is reasonable to believe that the position would more likely than not be sustained on its merits. (3)

Reasonable cause exception

No penalty shall be imposed under this subsection if it is shown that there is reasonable cause for the understatement and the tax return preparer acted in good faith.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply— (1)in the case of a position described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 6694(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by this section), to returns prepared after May 25, 2007, and (2)in the case of a position described in subparagraph (C) of such section (as amended by this section), to returns prepared for taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Removal of cellular telephones (or similar telecommunications equipment) from listed property

(a)

In general

Subparagraph (A) of section 280F(d)(4) (defining listed property) is amended by inserting and at the end of clause (iv), by striking clause (v), and by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (v). (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

Delay of application of withholding requirement on certain governmental payments for goods and services

(a)

In general

Subsection (b) of section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 is amended by striking December 31, 2010 and inserting December 31, 2011. (b)

Report to Congress

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report with respect to the withholding requirements of section 3402(t) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including a detailed analysis of— (1)the problems, if any, which are anticipated in administering and complying with such requirements, (2)the burdens, if any, that such requirements will place on governments and businesses (taking into account such mechanisms as may be necessary to administer such requirements), and (3)the application of such requirements to small expenditures for services and goods by governments.

Elderly and disabled individuals receiving in-home care under certain government programs not subject to employment tax provisions

(a)

In general

Chapter 25 (relating to general provisions relating to employment taxes) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

3511.

Elderly and disabled individuals receiving in-home care under certain government programs

(a)

In general

In the case of amounts paid under a home care service program to a home care service provider by the fiscal administrator of such program— (1)the home care service recipient shall not be liable for the payment of any taxes imposed under this subtitle with respect to amounts paid for the provision of services under such program, and (2)the fiscal administrator shall be so liable. (b)

Definitions

For purposes of this section— (1)

Home care service program

The term home care service program means a State or local government program— (A)any portion of which is funded with Federal funds, and (B)under which domestic services are provided to elderly or disabled individuals in their homes.

Such term shall not include any program to the extent home care service recipients make payments to the home care service providers for such in-home domestic services.

(2)

Home care service provider

The term home care service provider means any individual who provides domestic services to a home care service recipient under a home care service program. (3)

Home care service recipient

The term home care service recipient means any individual receiving domestic services under a home care service program. (4)

Fiscal administrator

The term fiscal administrator means any person or governmental entity who pays amounts under a home care service program to home care service providers for the provision of domestic services under such program. (c)

Returns by fiscal administrator

For purposes of this section— (1)

In general

Returns relating to taxes imposed or amounts required to be withheld under this subtitle shall be made under the identifying number of the fiscal administrator. (2)

Identification of service recipient

The fiscal administrator shall, to the extent required under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, make a return setting forth— (A)the name, address, and identifying number of each home care service recipient for whom amounts are paid by such fiscal administrator under the home care services program, and (B)such other information as the Secretary may require. (d)

Regulations

The Secretary may prescribe such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including requiring deposits of any tax imposed under this subtitle.

(b)

Service recipient identification return treated as information return

Paragraph (3) of section 6724(d) is amended by striking and at the end of subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (D)(ii) and inserting , and, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E)any requirement under section 3511(c)(2).

(c)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 25 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 3511. Elderly and disabled individuals receiving in-home care under certain government programs.

(d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid after December 31, 2008.

Referrals to low income taxpayer clinics permitted

(a)

In general

Subsection (c) of section 7526 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)

Treasury employees permitted to refer taxpayers to qualified low-income taxpayer clinics

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury may refer taxpayers for advice and assistance to qualified low-income taxpayer clinics receiving funding under this section.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to referrals made after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Programs for the benefit of low-income taxpayers

(a)

Volunteer income tax assistance programs

Chapter 77 (relating to miscellaneous provisions) is amended by inserting after section 7526 the following new section:

7526A.

Volunteer income tax assistance programs

(a)

In general

The Secretary may, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, make grants to provide matching funds for the development, expansion, or continuation of volunteer income tax assistance programs. (b)

Volunteer income tax assistance program

For purposes of this section, the term volunteer income tax assistance program means a program— (1)which does not charge taxpayers for its return preparation services, (2)which operates programs to assist low and moderate-income (as determined by the Secretary) taxpayers in preparing and filing their Federal income tax returns, and (3)in which all of the volunteers who assist in the preparation of Federal income tax returns meet the requirements prescribed by the Secretary. (c)

Special Rules and Limitations

(1)

Aggregate limitation

Unless otherwise provided by specific appropriation, the Secretary shall not allocate more than $10,000,000 per year (exclusive of costs of administering the program) to grants under this section. (2)

Other applicable rules

Rules similar to the rules under paragraphs (2) through (6) of section 7526(c) shall apply with respect to the awarding of grants to volunteer income tax assistance programs.

(b)

Increase in authorized grants for low-income taxpayer clinics

Paragraph (1) of section 7526(c) (relating to aggregate limitation) is amended by striking $6,000,000 and inserting $10,000,000. (c)

Clerical amendments

(1)Section 7526(c)(5) is amended by inserting qualified before low-income. (2)The table of sections for chapter 77 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7526 the following new item:

Sec. 7526A. Volunteer income tax assistance programs.

(d)

Effective Date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

EITC outreach

(a)

In general

Section 32 (relating to earned income) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(n)

Notification of potential eligibility for credit and refund

(1)

In general

To the extent possible and on an annual basis, the Secretary shall provide to each taxpayer who— (A)for any preceding taxable year for which credit or refund is not precluded by section 6511, and (B)did not claim the credit under subsection (a) but may be allowed such credit for any such taxable year based on return or return information (as defined in section 6103(b)) available to the Secretary,

notice that such taxpayer may be eligible to claim such credit and a refund for such taxable year.

(2)

Notice

Notice provided under paragraph (1) shall be in writing and sent to the last known address of the taxpayer.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Prohibition on IRS debt indicators for predatory refund anticipation loans

(a)

In general

Subsection (f) of section 6011 (relating to promotion of electronic filing) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)

Prohibition on IRS debt indicators for predatory refund anticipation loans

(A)

In general

In carrying out any program under this subsection, the Secretary shall not provide a debt indicator to any person with respect to any refund anticipation loan if the Secretary determines that the business practices of such person involve refund anticipation loans and related charges and fees that are predatory. (B)

Refund anticipation loan

For purposes of this paragraph, the term refund anticipation loan means a loan of money or of any other thing of value to a taxpayer secured by the taxpayer’s anticipated receipt of a Federal tax refund. (C)

IRS debt indicator

For purposes of this paragraph, the term debt indicator means a notification provided through a tax return’s acknowledgment file that a refund will be offset to repay debts for delinquent Federal or State taxes, student loans, child support, or other Federal agency debt.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

10.

Study on delivery of tax refunds

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, shall conduct a study on the feasibility of delivering tax refunds on debit cards, prepaid cards, and other electronic means to assist individuals that do not have access to financial accounts or institutions. (b)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to Congress containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

11.

Extension of time for return of property for wrongful levy

(a)

Extension of time for return of property subject to levy

Subsection (b) of section 6343 (relating to return of property) is amended by striking 9 months and inserting 2 years. (b)

Period of limitation on suits

Subsection (c) of section 6532 (relating to suits by persons other than taxpayers) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1) by striking 9 months and inserting 2 years, and (2)in paragraph (2) by striking 9-month and inserting 2-year. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to— (1)levies made after the date of the enactment of this Act, and (2)levies made on or before such date if the 9-month period has not expired under section 6343(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (without regard to this section) as of such date.

12.

Individuals held harmless on wrongful levy, etc., on individual retirement plan

(a)

In general

Section 6343 (relating to authority to release levy and return property) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f)

Individuals held harmless on wrongful levy, etc. on individual retirement plan

(1)

In general

If the Secretary determines that an individual retirement plan has been levied upon in a case to which subsection (b) or (d)(2)(A) applies, an amount equal to the sum of— (A)the amount of money returned by the Secretary on account of such levy, and (B)interest paid under subsection (c) on such amount of money,

may be deposited into such individual retirement plan or any other individual retirement plan (other than an endowment contract) to which a rollover from the plan levied upon is permitted. An amount may not be deposited into a Roth IRA under the preceding sentence unless the individual retirement plan levied upon was a Roth IRA at the time of such levy.

(2)

Treatment as rollover

If amounts are deposited into an individual retirement plan under paragraph (1) not later than the 60th day after the date on which the individual receives the amounts under paragraph (1)— (A)such deposit shall be treated as a rollover described in section 408(d)(3)(A)(i), (B)to the extent the deposit includes interest paid under subsection (c), such interest shall not be includible in gross income, and (C)such deposit shall not be taken into account under section 408(d)(3)(B).

For purposes of subparagraph (B), an amount shall be treated as interest only to the extent that the amount deposited exceeds the amount of the levy.

(3)

Refund, etc., of income tax on levy

If any amount is includible in gross income for a taxable year by reason of a levy referred to in paragraph (1) and any portion of such amount is treated as a rollover under paragraph (2), any tax imposed by chapter 1 on such portion shall not be assessed, and if assessed shall be abated, and if collected shall be credited or refunded as an overpayment made on the due date for filing the return of tax for such taxable year. (4)

Interest

Notwithstanding subsection (d), interest shall be allowed under subsection (c) in a case in which the Secretary makes a determination described in subsection (d)(2)(A) with respect to a levy upon an individual retirement plan.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to amounts paid under subsections (b), (c), and (d)(2)(A) of section 6343 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after the date of the enactment of this Act.

13.

Taxpayer notification of suspected identity theft

(a)

In general

Chapter 77 (relating to miscellaneous provisions) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7529.

Notification of suspected identity theft

If, in the course of an investigation under the internal revenue laws, the Secretary determines that there was or may have been an unauthorized use of the identity of the taxpayer or a dependent of the taxpayer, the Secretary shall, to the extent permitted by law— (1)as soon as practicable and without jeopardizing such investigation, notify the taxpayer of such determination, and (2)if any person is criminally charged by indictment or information with respect to such unauthorized use, notify such taxpayer as soon as practicable of such charge.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 77 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 7529. Notification of suspected identity theft.

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to determinations made after the date of the enactment of this Act.

14.

Repeal of authority to enter into private debt collection contracts

(a)

In general

Subchapter A of chapter 64 is amended by striking section 6306. (b)

Conforming amendments

(1)Subchapter B of chapter 76 is amended by striking section 7433A. (2)Section 7811 is amended by striking subsection (g). (3)Section 1203 of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring Act of 1998 is amended by striking subsection (e). (4)The table of sections for subchapter A of chapter 64 is amended by striking the item relating to section 6306. (5)The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 76 is amended by striking the item relating to section 7433A. (c)

Effective date

(1)

In general

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2)

Exception for existing contracts, etc

The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any contract which was entered into before March 1, 2008, and is not renewed or extended on or after such date. (3)

Unauthorized contracts and extensions treated as void

Any qualified tax collection contract (as defined in section 6306 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect before its repeal) which is entered into on or after March 1, 2008, and any extension or renewal on or after such date of any qualified tax collection contract (as so defined), shall be void.

15.

Clarification of IRS unclaimed refund authority

Paragraph (1) of section 6103(m) (relating to tax refunds) is amended by inserting , and through any other means of mass communication, after media.

16.

Prohibition on misuse of Department of the Treasury names and symbols

(a)

In general

Subsection (a) of section 333 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting Internet domain address, after solicitation, both places it appears. (b)

Penalty for misuse by electronic means

Subsections (c)(2) and (d)(1) of section 333 of such Code are each amended by inserting or any other mass communications by electronic means, after telecast,. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act.

17.

Substantiation of amounts paid or distributed out of health savings account

(a)

In general

Paragraph (1) of section 223(f) (relating to amounts used for qualified medical expenses) is amended by inserting (and, in the case of amounts paid or distributed after December 31, 2010, substantiated in a manner similar to the substantiation required for flexible spending arrangements as related to account beneficiary substantiation requirements) after account beneficiary. (b)

Reports

Subsection (h) of section 223 (relating to reports) is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, (2)by moving the text of subparagraphs (A) and (B) (as so redesignated) and the last sentence 2 ems to the right, (3)by striking (h) Reports.—The Secretary may require— and inserting the following:

(h)

Reports

(1)

In general

The Secretary may require—

, and

(4)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)

Relating to substantiation

Not later than January 15 of each calendar year after 2011, the trustee of a health savings account shall make a report regarding such account to the Secretary and the account beneficiary setting forth— (A)the name, address, and identifying number of the account beneficiary, and (B)the amount paid or distributed out of such account for the preceding calendar year not substantiated in accordance with subsection (f)(1).

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to amounts paid or distributed out of health savings accounts after December 31, 2010.

18.

Certain domestically controlled foreign persons performing services under contract with United States Government treated as American employers

(a)

FICA taxes

Section 3121 (relating to definitions) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(z)

Treatment of certain foreign persons as American employers

(1)

In general

If any employee of a foreign person is performing services in connection with a contract between the United States Government (or any instrumentality thereof) and any member of any domestically controlled group of entities which includes such foreign person, such foreign person shall be treated for purposes of this chapter as an American employer with respect to such services performed by such employee. (2)

Domestically controlled group of entities

For purposes of this subsection— (A)

In general

The term domestically controlled group of entities means a controlled group of entities the common parent of which is a domestic corporation. (B)

Controlled group of entities

The term controlled group of entities means a controlled group of corporations as defined in section 1563(a)(1), except that— (i)more than 50 percent shall be substituted for at least 80 percent each place it appears therein, and (ii)the determination shall be made without regard to subsections (a)(4) and (b)(2) of section 1563.

A partnership or any other entity (other than a corporation) shall be treated as a member of a controlled group of entities if such entity is controlled (within the meaning of section 954(d)(3)) by members of such group (including any entity treated as a member of such group by reason of this sentence).

(3)

Liability of common parent

In the case of a foreign person who is a member of any domestically controlled group of entities, the common parent of such group shall be jointly and severally liable for any tax under this chapter for which such foreign person is liable by reason of this subsection, and for any penalty imposed on such person by this title with respect to any failure to pay such tax or to file any return or statement with respect to such tax or wages subject to such tax. No deduction shall be allowed under this title for any liability imposed by the preceding sentence. (4)

Coordination

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any services which are covered by an agreement under subsection (l). (5)

Cross reference

For relief from taxes in cases covered by certain international agreements, see sections 3101(c) and 3111(c).

(b)

Social Security benefits

Subsection (e) of section 210 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 410(e)) is amended— (1)by striking (e) The term and inserting (e)(1) The term, (2)by redesignating clauses (1) through (6) as clauses (A) through (F), respectively, and (3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)(A)If any employee of a foreign person is performing services in connection with a contract between the United States Government (or any instrumentality thereof) and any member of any domestically controlled group of entities which includes such foreign person, such foreign person shall be treated as an American employer with respect to such services performed by such employee. (B)For purposes of this paragraph— (i)The term domestically controlled group of entities means a controlled group of entities the common parent of which is a domestic corporation. (ii)The term controlled group of entities means a controlled group of corporations as defined in section 1563(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that— (I)more than 50 percent shall be substituted for at least 80 percent each place it appears therein, and (II)the determination shall be made without regard to subsections (a)(4) and (b)(2) of section 1563 of such Code.

A partnership or any other entity (other than a corporation) shall be treated as a member of a controlled group of entities if such entity is controlled (within the meaning of section 954(d)(3) of such Code) by members of such group (including any entity treated as a member of such group by reason of this sentence).

(c)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to services performed after the date of the enactment of this Act.

19.

Time for payment of corporate estimated tax

The percentage under subparagraph (C) of section 401(1) of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act is increased by 0.25 percentage points.

GAO study on health savings accounts

(a)

In general

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the use of distributions from health savings accounts. (b)

Submission of Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a) and shall include therein recommendations (if any) relating to such findings. The report shall be submitted to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.