I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 508 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 14, 2009 Mr. Braley of Iowa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To allow a refundable credit against Federal income tax for the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes for taxpayers who did not use coupons.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the DTV Converter Box Rebate Act of 2009.

2.

Refundable tax credit for the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes

(a)

Allowance of credit

In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the taxable year an amount equal to $40 for each digital-to-analog converter box purchased by the taxpayer during the taxable year. (b)

Limitations

(1)

Maximum amount

The credit allowed under subsection (a) shall not exceed $80. (2)

Reduction of credit amount for coupon redemption

The credit allowed under subsection (a) shall be reduced by $40 for each digital-to-analog converter box coupon redeemed by the taxpayer. (c)

Definitions

For purposes of this Act— (1)

Coupon

The term digital-to-analog converter box coupon means a coupon (or similar method of payment assistance) issued under section 3005 of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 Stat. 23). (2)

Converter box

The term digital-to-analog converter box means a digital-to-analog converter box described in section 3005(d) of such Act which was purchased by the taxpayer after January 1, 2009, but before June 30, 2009. (d)

Credit refundable

For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the credit allowed under subsection (a) shall be treated as allowed under subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (e)

Regulations

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce, shall prescribe such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section and to prevent allowance of a credit with respect to any taxpayer who purchases a digital-to-analog converter box for which a digital-to-analog converter box coupon has been redeemed.

3.

Education effort

The Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce shall take appropriate actions to educate consumers and retailers about the tax credit established under section 2 as an alternative to requesting and redeeming a digital-to-analog converter box coupon.