Lifelong learning accounts

(a)

In general

Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable credits) is amended by inserting after section 36C the following new section:

36D.

Contributions to lifelong learning accounts

(a)

Credit allowed

In the case of an eligible individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the contributions (other than rollover contributions described in subsection (e)(5)) paid in cash during such taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to a lifelong learning account of such individual. (b)

Limitations and definitions related to allowance of credit

(1)

Dollar limitation

(A)

In general

The amount of contributions taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to any eligible individual for any taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of— (i)$2,500, or (ii)an amount equal to the compensation (as defined in section 219(f)(1)) includible in the individual’s gross income for such taxable year. (B)

Catch-up contributions for individuals 50 or older

(i)

In general

In the case of an individual who has attained the age of 50 before the close of the taxable year, the dollar limitation otherwise applicable under subparagraph (A)(i) (without regard to paragraph (2)) for such taxable year shall be increased by— (I)$1,000 in the case of taxable years beginning after 2010 and before 2015, and (II)$1,500 in the case of taxable years beginning after 2014. (C)

Cost-of-living adjustment

(i)

In general

In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2014, the $2,500 amount in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (I)such dollar amount, multiplied by (II)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2013 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof. (ii)

Rounding rules

If any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $100. (2)

Limitations based on modified adjusted gross income

(A)

In general

The dollar amount applicable under paragraph (1) for any taxable year (without regard to this paragraph) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the reduction amount. (B)

Reduction amount

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the reduction amount is the amount which bears the same ratio to the dollar amount applicable under paragraph (1) for any taxable year (without regard to this paragraph) as— (i)the excess of— (I)the account beneficiary’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over (II)$100,000 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return), bears to (ii)$20,000 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return).

For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term modified adjusted gross income means adjusted gross income increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.

(C)

Special rule for married individuals filing a separate return

In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, subparagraph (B)(i)(II) shall be applied by substituting zero for the dollar amount therein. (3)

Treatment of employer contributions

(A)

Exclusion from gross income

Gross income shall not include any contribution to a lifelong learning account made by an employer of the account beneficiary to the extent that the aggregate amount of such contributions made during the taxable year does not exceed the limitation in effect under paragraph (1) (determined without regard to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph) for such taxable year with respect to such beneficiary. (B)

Coordination with credit

The limitation which would (but for this subparagraph) apply under paragraph (1) with respect to the eligible individual for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate amount contributed to lifelong learning accounts of such individual which is excludable from the taxpayer’s gross income for such taxable year under subparagraph (A) (and such amount shall not be taken into account in determining the credit under subsection (a)). (4)

Applicable percentage

For purposes of this section, the term applicable percentage means— (A)50 percent with respect to the first $500 of contributions taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to any eligible individual for any taxable year, and (B)25 percent with respect to so much of such contributions as exceeds $500. (5)

Eligible individual

For purposes of this section, the term eligible individual means any individual for any taxable year if, as of the first day of such taxable year, such individual has attained age 18 but has not attained age 71. (c)

Lifelong learning accounts

For purposes of this section— (1)

In general

The term lifelong learning account means a trust created or organized in the United States as a lifelong learning account exclusively for the purpose of paying the qualified education expenses of the account beneficiary, but only if the written governing instrument creating the trust meets the following requirements: (A)No contribution will be accepted unless it is in cash. (B)Except in the case of a rollover contribution described in subsection (e)(5), no contribution will be accepted if such contribution, when added to all previous contributions to the trust for the calendar year, would exceed the dollar amount applicable to the account beneficiary under subsection (b). (C)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. (D)No part of the trust assets will be invested in life insurance contracts. (E)No part of the trust assets will be invested in any collectible (as defined in section 408(m)). (F)The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund. (G)The interest of an individual in the balance in his account is nonforfeitable. (2)

Qualified education expenses

The term qualified education expenses means amounts paid by the account beneficiary for education of, or courses of instruction (including training and apprenticeship programs) for, the account beneficiary, including— (A)tuition, fees, and similar payments, and (B)books, supplies, equipment, tools, and information technology devices, required for such course or education.

Such term shall not include amounts paid for any course or other education involving sports, games, or hobbies.

(3)

Account beneficiary

The term account beneficiary means the individual on whose behalf the lifelong learning account was established. (4)

Certain rules to apply

Rules similar to the following rules shall apply for purposes of this section: (A)Section 219(f)(3) (relating to time when contributions deemed made). (B)Section 408(g) (relating to community property laws). (C)Section 408(h) (relating to custodial accounts). (d)

Tax treatment of accounts

(1)

In general

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

Account terminations

Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to lifelong learning accounts, and any amount treated as distributed under such rules shall be treated as not used to pay qualified education expenses. (e)

Tax treatment of distributions

(1)

Inclusion in gross income

Any amount distributed out of a lifelong learning account shall be included in gross income by the distributee. (2)

Additional tax

(A)

In general

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the tax imposed by this chapter on the account beneficiary for any taxable year in which there is a nonqualified distribution from a lifelong learning account shall be increased by 10 percent of the amount of such distribution. (B)

Exceptions

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the distribution is made after the account beneficiary dies, becomes disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)), or has attained age 70. (3)

Nonqualified distribution

For purposes of this section, the term nonqualified distribution means the excess (if any) of— (A)the aggregate distributions from the account during the taxable year, over (B)the qualified education expenses of the account beneficiary for the taxable year. (4)

Excess contributions returned before due date of return

(A)

In general

If any excess contribution is contributed for a taxable year to any lifelong learning account of an individual, paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to distributions from the lifelong learning accounts of such individual (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the aggregate excess contributions to all such accounts of such individual for such year) if— (i)such distribution is received by the individual on or before the last day prescribed by law (including extensions of time) for filing such individual’s return for such taxable year, and (ii)such distribution is accompanied by the amount of net income attributable to such excess contribution.

Any net income described in clause (ii) shall be included in the gross income of the individual for the taxable year in which it is received.

(B)

Excess contribution

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term excess contribution means any contribution (other than a rollover contribution described in paragraph (5)) which is not taken into account for purposes of determining the credit allowed under subsection (a) or the amount excludable from the taxpayer’s gross income under subsection (b)(3). (5)

Rollover contribution

An amount is described in this paragraph as a rollover contribution if it meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B). (A)

In general

Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any amount paid or distributed from a lifelong learning account to the account beneficiary to the extent the amount received is paid into a lifelong learning account for the benefit of such beneficiary not later than the 60th day after the day on which the beneficiary receives the payment or distribution. (B)

Limitation

This paragraph shall not apply to any amount described in subparagraph (A) received by an individual from a lifelong learning account if, at any time during the 1-year period ending on the day of such receipt, such individual received any other amount described in subparagraph (A) from a lifelong learning account to which paragraphs (1) and (2) did not apply by reason of the application of this paragraph. (6)

Transfer of account incident to divorce

The transfer of an individual’s interest in a lifelong learning account to an individual’s spouse or former spouse under a divorce or separation instrument described in subparagraph (A) of section 71(b)(2) shall not be considered a taxable transfer made by such individual notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, and such interest shall, after such transfer, be treated as a lifelong learning account with respect to which such spouse is the account beneficiary. (7)

Treatment after death of account beneficiary

(A)

Treatment if designated beneficiary is spouse

If the account beneficiary’s surviving spouse acquires such beneficiary’s interest in a lifelong learning account by reason of being the designated beneficiary of such account at the death of the account beneficiary, such lifelong learning account shall be treated as if the spouse were the account beneficiary. (B)

Other cases

(i)

In general

If, by reason of the death of the account beneficiary, any person acquires the account beneficiary’s interest in a lifelong learning account in a case to which subparagraph (A) does not apply— (I)such account shall cease to be a lifelong learning account as of the date of death, and (II)an amount equal to the fair market value of the assets in such account on such date shall be includible if such person is not the estate of such beneficiary, in such person’s gross income for the taxable year which includes such date, or if such person is the estate of such beneficiary, in such beneficiary’s gross income for the last taxable year of such beneficiary. (ii)

Deduction for estate taxes

An appropriate deduction shall be allowed under section 691(c) to any person (other than the decedent or the decedent’s spouse) with respect to amounts included in gross income under clause (i) by such person. (f)

Reports

The trustee of a lifelong learning account shall make such reports regarding such account to the Secretary and to the account beneficiary 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.

(b)

Tax on excess contributions

Section 4973 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by striking or at the end of subsection (a)(4), by inserting or at the end of subsection (a)(5), and by inserting after subsection (a)(5) the following new paragraph:

(6)a lifelong learning account (within the meaning of section 36D(c)),

, and

(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(h)

Excess contributions to lifelong learning accounts

For purposes of this section, in the case of lifelong learning accounts (within the meaning of section 36D(c)), the term excess contributions means the sum of— (1)the aggregate amount contributed for the taxable year to the accounts (other than rollover contributions described in section 36D(e)(5)) which is not taken into account for purposes of determining the credit allowed under section 36D(a) or the amount excludable from the taxpayer’s gross income under section 36D(b)(3), and (2)the amount determined under this subsection for the preceding taxable year, reduced by the sum of— (A)the distributions out of the accounts with respect to which additional tax was imposed under section 36D(e)(2)(A) for the taxable year, and (B)the excess (if any) of— (i)the maximum amount of contributions which may be taken into account under section 36D(a) for the taxable year, over (ii)the amount contributed to the accounts for the taxable year.

For purposes of this subsection, any contribution which is distributed out of the lifelong learning account in a distribution to which section 36D(e)(4) applies shall be treated as an amount not contributed.

(c)

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 subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H), by striking or at the end of subparagraph (F), and by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraph:

(G)a lifelong learning account described in section 36D(c), or

(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 36D(d)(2) to such account.

(d)

Failure To provide reports on lifelong learning accounts

Paragraph (2) of section 6693(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as subparagraphs (B) through (F), respectively, and by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) the following new subparagraph:

(A)section 36D(f) (relating to lifelong learning accounts),

(e)

Exclusion from employment taxes

(1)

Federal Insurance Contributions Act

Subsection (a) of section 3121 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking or at the end of paragraph (22), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (23) and inserting ; or, and by inserting after paragraph (23) the following new paragraph:

(24)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 36D(b)(3).

(2)

Railroad retirement tax

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

(13)

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 36D(b)(3).

(3)

Unemployment tax

Subsection (b) of section 3306 of such Code is amended by striking or at the end of paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ; or, and by inserting after paragraph (20) the following new paragraph:

(21)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 36D(b)(3).

(4)

Withholding tax

Subsection (a) of section 3401 of such Code is amended by striking or at the end of paragraph (22), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (23) and inserting ; or, and by inserting after paragraph (23) the following new paragraph:

(5)

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 (13), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (14) and inserting , and, and by inserting after paragraph (14) the following new paragraph:

(15)the amount contributed to any lifelong learning account (as defined in section 36D) on behalf of such employee.

(6)

Social security trust funds held harmless

There is hereby appropriated (out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated) for each fiscal year to each fund under the Social Security Act an amount equal to the reduction in the transfers to such fund for such fiscal year by reason of the amendment made by paragraph (1). (f)

Exemption from ERISA requirements

Subsection (b) of section 4 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended by striking or at the end of paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting ; or, and by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:

(6)such plan is maintained solely for the purposes of establishing, and making contributions to, lifelong learning accounts (as defined in section 36D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) on behalf of employees.

(g)

Conforming amendments

(1)The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36C the following new item:

Sec. 36D. Contributions to lifelong learning accounts.

(2)Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting 36D, after 36C,. (3)Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting 36D, after 36C,. (h)

Effective date

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