[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 2668. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove 
cell phones from listed property under section 280F; to the Committee 
on Finance.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today Senator Ensign and I are introducing 
the MOBILE Cell Phone Act, Modernize Our Bookkeeping in the Law for 
Employees' Cell Phone Act 2008. The purpose of this legislation is to 
update the tax treatment of cell phones and mobile communication 
devices.
  During the past 20 years, the use of cell phone and mobile 
communication devices has skyrocketed. Cell phones are no longer viewed 
as an executive perk or a luxury item. They no longer resemble 
suitcases or are hardwired to the floor of an automobile. Cell phone 
and mobile communication devices are now part of daily business 
practices at all levels.
  In 1989, Congress passed a law, which added cell phones to the 
definition of listed property under section 280F(d)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986. Treating cell phones as listed property requires 
substantial documentation in order for cell phones to benefit from 
accelerated depreciation and not be treated as taxable income to the 
employee. This documentation is required to substantiate that the cell 
phone is used for business purposes more than 50 percent of the time. 
Generally, listed property is property that inherently lends itself to 
personal use, such as automobiles.
  Back in 1989, cell phone technology was an expensive technology 
worthy of detailed logsheets. At that time, it was difficult to 
envision cell phones that could be placed in a pocket or handbag. 
Congress was skeptical about the daily business use of cell phones.
  Technological advances have revolutionized the cell phone and mobile 
communication device industries. Twenty years ago, no one could have 
imagined the role BlackBerries play in our day-to-day communications. 
Cell phones and mobile communication devices are now widespread 
throughout all types of businesses. Employers provide their employees 
with these devices to enable them to remain connected 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week. The cost of the devices has been reduced, and most 
providers offer unlimited airtime for one monthly rate.
  Recently, the Internal Revenue Service reminded field examiners of 
the substantiation rules for cell phones as listed property. The 
current rule requires employers to maintain expensive and detailed 
logs, and employers caught without cell phone logs could face tax 
penalties.
  The MOBILE Cell Phone Act of 2008 updates the tax treatment of cell 
phones and mobile communication devices by repealing the requirement 
that employers maintain detailed logs. The tax code should keep pace 
with technological advances. There is no longer a reason that cell 
phones and mobile communication devices should be treated differently 
from office phones or computers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense change.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2668

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Modernize Our Bookkeeping In 
     the Law for Employee's Cell Phone Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES (OR SIMILAR 
                   TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT) FROM LISTED 
                   PROPERTY.

       (a) In General.--Subparagraph (A) of section 280F(d)(4) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code (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, 
     2007.

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