SUMMARY OF THE REVENUE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN

S. 1429, THE TAXPAYER REFUND ACT OF 1999,

AS REPORTED BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

ON JULY 23, 1999

Prepared by the Staff

of the

JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION

July 27, 1999

JCX-56-99
(i)

CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION ....................................................... 1

TITLE I. BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF PROVISION -- REDUCTION IN THE

15-PERCENT REGULAR INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE ................. 2

TITLE II. FAMILY TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS ............................. 2

A. Election to Calculate Combined Tax as Individuals for a Married Couple

Filing a Joint Return .............................................. 2

B. Marriage Penalty Relief Relating to the Earned Income Credit ............. 2

C. Expand the Exclusion From Income for Certain Foster Care Payments ....... 2

D. Increase and Expand the Dependent Care Credit ........................ 3

E. Tax Credit for Employer-Provided Child Care Facilities ................. 3

F. Modify Individual Alternative Minimum Tax ........................... 3

TITLE III. RETIREMENT AND INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS TAX RELIEF .......... 3

A. Individual Savings Provisions ...................................... 3

C Individual retirement arrangements ................................... 3

C Creation of individual development accounts ........................... 4

B. Expanding Coverage .............................................. 4

C Option to treat elective deferrals as after-tax contributions ................ 4

C Increase elective contribution limits .................................. 4

C Plan loans for subchapter S shareholders, partners, and sole proprietors ..... 4

C Elective deferrals are not taken into account for purposes of deduction limits . . 4

C Reduce PBGC premiums for small and new plan ........................ 5

C Eliminate IRS user fee for requests regarding new plans .................. 5

C SAFE annuities and trusts .......................................... 5

C Modification of top-heavy rules ..................................... 5
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C. Enhancing Fairness for Women ..................................... 5

C Additional catch-up contributions .................................... 5

C Equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution

plans .......................................................... 5

C Clarification of tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon

divorce ........................................................ 6

C Modification of safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from 401(k)

plans .......................................................... 6

C Faster vesting of employer matching contributions ....................... 6

D. Increasing Portability for Participants ................................ 6

C Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions ...................... 6

C Waiver of 60-day rule ............................................ 6

C Treatment of forms of distribution ................................... 7

C Rationalization of restrictions on distributions .......................... 7

C Purchase of service credit in governmental pension plans ................. 7

C Employers may disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out rules .......... 7

E. Strengthening Pension Security And Enforcement ........................ 7

C Phase in repeal of 150 percent of current liability funding limit; deduction

for contributions to fund termination liability ........................... 7

C Extension of PBGC missing participants program ....................... 7

C Modifications to section 415 limits for multiemployer plans ............... 8

C Excise tax relief for sound pension funding ............................ 8

C Notice of significant reduction in benefit accruals ....................... 8

C Investment of employee contributions in 401(k) plans .................... 8

F. Encouraging Retirement Education ................................... 8

C Periodic pension benefit statements .................................. 8

C Treatment of employer-provided retirement advice ...................... 8

G. Reducing Regulatory Burdens ....................................... 8

C Flexibility in nondiscrimination and coverage rules ...................... 8

C Modification of timing of plan valuations .............................. 9

C Rules for substantial owner benefits in terminated plans .................. 9

C ESOP dividends may be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction ...... 9

C Notice and consent period regarding distributions ....................... 9
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C Repeal transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees ...... 9

C Employees of tax-exempt entities .................................... 9

C Provisions relating to plan amendments ............................... 9

C Extension to international organizations of moratorium on application

of certain nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local

government plans ................................................ 9

C Annual report dissemination ........................................ 10

C Clarification of exclusion for employer-provided transit passes ............ 10

TITLE IV. EDUCATION TAX RELIEF ..................................... 10

A. Eliminate Marriage Penalty and 60-Month Limit on Student Loan Interest

Deduction ...................................................... 10

B. Allow Tax-Free Distributions From State and Private Prepaid Education

Plans .......................................................... 10

C. Eliminate Tax on Awards Under the National Health Service Corps

Scholarship Program and F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health

Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program................ 11

D. Exclusion for Employer-Provided Educational Assistance ................ 11

E. Liberalization of Tax-Exempt Financing Rules for Public School

Construction .................................................... 11

TITLE V. HEALTH CARE TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS ....................... 11

A. Above-the-Line Deduction for Health Insurance Expenses ................. 11

B. Provisions Relating to Long-Term Care Insurance ....................... 11

C. Additional Personal Exemption for Caretakers ......................... 12

D. Add Certain Vaccines Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae to the List of

Taxable Vaccines; Reduce Vaccine Excise Tax Rate ..................... 12

TITLE VI. SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS ................... 12

A. Accelerate 100-Percent Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction ......... 12

B. Increase Section 179 Expensing ..................................... 12
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C. Repeal of Temporary Federal Unemployment Surtax ..................... 13

D. Coordinate Farmer Income Averaging and the Alternative Minimum Tax ..... 13

TITLE VII. ESTATE AND GIFT TAX RELIEF ............................... 13

A. Reduce Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes .............. 13

B. Expand Estate Tax Rule for Conservation Easements ..................... 13

C. Increase Annual Gift Exclusion ..................................... 13

D. Simplification of Generation-Skipping Transfer (“GST”) Tax .............. 14

C Retroactive allocation of the GST tax exemption ........................ 14

C Severing of trusts holding property having an inclusion ratio of greater

than zero ....................................................... 14

C Modification of certain valuation rules ................................ 14

C Relief from late elections .......................................... 14

C Substantial compliance ............................................ 14

TITLE VIII. TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION PROVISIONS .................. 15

A. Provide Tax Exemption for Organizations Created by a State to Provide

Property and Casualty Insurance Coverage for Property for Which Such

Coverage Is Otherwise Unavailable .................................. 15

B. Modify Section 512(b)(13) ......................................... 15

C. Simplify Lobbying Expenditure Limitations ............................ 15

D. Tax-Free Withdrawals From IRAs for Charitable Purposes ............... 15

E. Provide Exclusion for Mileage Reimbursements by Charitable Organizations . . 16

F. Charitable Contribution Deduction for Certain Expenses in Support of Native

Alaskan Subsistence Whaling ....................................... 16

G. Charitable Giving Proposals ....................................... 16

C Charitable contributions to low-income schools ........................ 16

C Charitable deduction for non-itemizers ................................ 16
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C Increase in limit on charitable contributions as a percentage of AGI ......... 16

H. Modify Excess Business Holdings Rule for Publicly Traded Stock .......... 16

TITLE IX. INTERNATIONAL TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS .................... 17

A. Allocate Interest Expense on Worldwide Basis ......................... 17

B. Look-Through Rules to Apply to Dividends from Noncontrolled Section 902

Corporations .................................................... 17

C. Subpart F Treatment of Pipeline Transportation Income and Income From

Transmission of High Voltage Electricity .............................. 17

D. Prohibit Disclosure of APAs and APA Background Files ................. 18

E. Exempt Certain Sales of Frequent-Flyer and Similar Reduced-Fare Air

Transportation Rights from Aviation Excise Taxes ...................... 18

F. Repeal of Limitation of Foreign Tax Credit Under Alternative Minimum Tax . . 18

G. Treatment of Military Property of Foreign Sales Corporations ............. 18

TITLE X. HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF ...................... 18

A. Increase Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Per Capita Amount ............. 18

B. Tax Credit for Renovating Historic Homes ............................ 18

C. Provisions Relating to REITs ....................................... 19

D. Increase State Volume Limits on Tax-Exempt Private Activity Bonds ........ 19

E. Treatment of Leasehold Improvements ................................ 19

TITLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ............................... 19

A. Repeal Certain Excise Taxes on Rail Diesel Fuel and Inland Waterway Barge

Fuels .......................................................... 19

B. Tax Treatment of Alaska Native Settlement Trusts ....................... 19
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C. Allow Corporations to Take Certain Minimum Tax Credits Against Minimum

Tax ........................................................... 20

D. Allow Net Operating Losses From Oil and Gas Properties to be Carried

Back for Up to Five Years ......................................... 20

E. Election to Expense Geological and Geophysical Expenditures ............. 20

F. Deduction for Delay Rental Payments ................................ 20

G. Simplify the Active Trade or Business Requirement for Tax-Free Spin-Offs . . 20

H. Increase the Maximum Dollar Amount of Reforestation Expenditures

Eligible for Amortization and Credit ................................. 21

I. Modify Excise Tax on Arrow Components and Accessories ............... 21

J. Increase Joint Committee on Taxation Refund Review Threshold to $2

Million ........................................................ 21

K. Modify the Definition of Rural Airport Eligible for Reduced Air Passenger

Ticket Tax Rate ................................................. 21

L. Dividends Paid by Cooperatives .................................... 21

M. Permit Consolidation of Life Insurance and Nonlife Insurance Companies .... 22

N. Modify Personal Holding Company “Lending and Finance Business”

Exception ...................................................... 22

O. Tax Credit for Modifications to Inter-City Buses Requires Under the

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 .............................. 22

P. Increased Deduction for Business Meals While Operating Under Department

of Transportation House of Service Limitations ......................... 22

Q. Authorize Limited Private Activity Tax-Exempt Financing for Highway

Construction .................................................... 22

R. Extend Tax Credit for First-Time D.C. Homebuyers ..................... 23

S. Expand the Zero-Percent Capital Gains Rate for D.C. Zone Assets .......... 23
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T. Establish a Seven-Year Recovery Period for Natural Gas Gathering Lines .... 23

U. Reclassify Air Transportation on Certain Small Seaplanes as Non-Commercial

Aviation for Excise Tax Purposes ................................... 23

TITLE XII. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING PROVISIONS ....................... 23

A. Extension of Research Tax Credit ................................... 23

B. Extend Exceptions Under Subpart F for Active Financing Income ........... 24

C. Extend Suspension of Net Income Limitation on Percentage Depletion from

Marginal Oil and Gas Wells ........................................ 24

D. Extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit .............................. 24

E. Extend the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit ............................... 24

F. Extend and Modify Tax Credit for Electricity Produced by Wind and

Closed-Loop Biomass Facilities .................................... 24

G. Extend Exemption From Diesel Dyeing Requirement for Certain Areas

in Alaska ....................................................... 25

H. Expensing of Environmental Remediation Expenditures ................... 25

TITLE XIII. REVENUE OFFSET PROVISIONS .............................. 25

A. Modify Foreign Tax Credit Carryover Rules ........................... 25

B. Expand Reporting of Cancellation of Indebtedness Income ................ 25

C. Increase Elective Withholding Rate for Nonperiodic Distributions from

Deferred Compensation Plans ...................................... 25

D. Extension of IRS User Fees ........................................ 26

E. Treatment of Excess Pension Assets Used for Retiree Health Benefits ....... 26

F. Clarify the Tax Treatment of Income and Losses on Derivatives ............ 26

G. Loophole Closers ................................................ 26
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C Limit use of non-accrual experience method of accounting to amounts to

be received for performance of qualified professional services ............ 26

C Impose limitation on prefunding of certain employee benefits .............. 26

C Modify installment method and prohibit its use by accrual method

taxpayers ....................................................... 26

C Limit conversion of character of income from constructive ownership

transactions ..................................................... 27

C Denial of charitable contribution deduction for transfers associated with

split-dollar insurance arrangements .................................. 27

C Modify estimated tax rules for closely held REIT dividends ............... 27

C Prohibited allocations of stock in an S corporation ESOP ................. 27

C Modify anti-abuse rules related to assumption of liabilities ................ 28

C Require consistent treatment and provide basis allocation rules for transfers

of intangibles in certain nonrecognition transactions ..................... 28

C Modify treatment of closely-held REITS .............................. 28

C Distributions by a partnership to a corporate partner of stock in another

corporation ..................................................... 28

TITLE XIV. TAX TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ............................ 28
1

 This document may be cited as follows: Joint Committee on Taxation, Summary of the

Revenue Provisions Contained in S.1429, the Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999, as Reported by the

Senate Committee on Finance on July 23, 1999 (JCX-56-99), July 27, 1999.

2

 See, also, Report of the Senate Committee on Finance on S. 1429 (S. Rept. 106-120, July

23, 1999).

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INTRODUCTION

This document,1 prepared by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, provides a

summary of the revenue provisions in S. 1429, the Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999, as reported by

the Senate Committee on Finance on July 23, 1999.2
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SUMMARY OF S. 1429,

THE TAXPAYER REFUND ACT OF 1999

TITLE I. BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF PROVISION -- REDUCTION IN THE

15-PERCENT REGULAR INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE

The bill reduces the lowest individual regular income tax rate from 15 percent to 14

percent, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000. This rate reduction does

not apply to the capital gains tax rates. In addition, the bill increases the size of the otherwise

applicable 14-percent rate bracket by $2,000 ($4,000 for a married couple filing a joint return) in

2005 and 2006 and by $2,500 ($5,000 for a married couple filing a joint return) in 2007.

TITLE II. FAMILY TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS

A. Election to Calculate Combined Tax as Individuals for a

Married Couple Filing a Joint Return

Under the bill, married taxpayers have the option to calculate separate taxable income for

each spouse and to be taxed as two single individuals on the same return. The tax due is

calculated by applying the tax rates for single individuals to the separate taxable incomes. Under

the bill, both spouses must elect to either use the standard deduction for single individuals or to

itemize their deductions. Once tax liability is calculated on a separate basis, all tax credits and

payments of tax are applied as if the couple is filing a joint return. Each spouse is entitled to claim

one personal exemption. Exemptions for dependents are allocated based on each spouse’s relative

income. The bill provides specific rules for the allocation of income and deductions. The

provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.

B. Marriage Penalty Relief Relating to the Earned Income Credit

The bill increases the beginning point of the phase out of the Earned Income Credit (“EIC”)

for married couples filing a joint return by $2,000, effective for taxable years beginning after

December 31, 2004. The effect of the increase in the beginning point of the phase-out range is to

increase the EIC for taxpayers in the phase-out range by an amount up to $2,000 times the phaseout rate. The provision also makes taxpayers with earnings up to $2,000 beyond the present-law

phase-out range newly eligible for the EIC.

C. Expand the Exclusion from Income for Certain Foster Care Payments

The bill expands the list of persons eligible to make qualified foster care payments to

include a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a qualified foster care placement agency,

whether taxable or tax-exempt. The bill also expands the list of persons eligible to place foster

care individuals to allow placements by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a qualified

foster care placement agency. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after

December 31, 1999.
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D. Increase and Expand the Dependent Care Credit

The maximum credit percentage for the dependent care tax credit is increased from 30

percent to 50 percent for taxpayers with adjusted gross income (“AGI”) of $30,000 or less,

effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000. In addition, the maximum amount

of eligible employment-related expenses ($2,400/$4,800) is indexed for inflation beginning in

2001.

E. Tax Credit for Employer-Provided Child Care Facilities

Under the bill, taxpayers receive a tax credit equal to 25 percent of qualified expenses for

employee child care. Under the bill, a taxpayer is entitled to a tax credit equal to 10 percent of

expenses incurred to provide employees with child care resource and referral services. The

maximum total credits that may be claimed by a taxpayer under this provision can not exceed

$150,000 per year. The credits are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

F. Modify Individual Alternative Minimum Tax

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998, the bill allows an individual to

offset the entire regular tax liability (without regard to the minimum tax) by the personal

nonrefundable credits, and repeals the provision reducing the refundable child credit by the

alternative minimum tax (“AMT”). For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004, the bill

also allows the deduction for personal exemptions in computing AMT.

TITLE III. RETIREMENT AND INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS TAX RELIEF

A. Individual Savings Provisions

C Individual retirement arrangements.--The bill increases the annual dollar IRA contribution

limit in $1,000 annual increments, beginning in 2001, until the limit reaches $5,000 in

2003. Thereafter, the limit is indexed for inflation in $100 increments. The AGI phase-out

limit for active participants in an employer-sponsored plan is increased by $2,000 ($4,000

in the case of a joint return) in 2008, and by $2,500 ($5,000 in the case of a joint return) in

2009 and 2010. After 2010, the income limits are indexed for inflation in $1000

increments. The Roth IRA contribution AGI phase-out limits are repealed, beginning in

2001. The bill also increases the AGI limit on conversions of traditional IRAs to Roth

IRAs to $1 million ($500,000 in the case of a married taxpayer filing a separate return),

beginning in 2003. Beginning in 2000, the bill allows IRAs to invest in coins which are or

were at any time legal tender in the United States or issued under the laws of any State.

C Creation of individual development accounts.--The bill creates individual development

accounts (“IDAs”) to which eligible low-income individuals can contribute. The bill

provides an 85 percent tax credit for matching contributions made to an IDA by the

financial institution maintaining the IDA, up to a maximum annual credit of $300 per

eligible individual. Matching contributions may only be used for (1) certain educational
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expenses, (2) first-time homebuyer expenses, and (3) business start-up expenses. Any

amounts in the IDA are not to be taken into account for certain Federal means-tested

programs. The provision is effective for contributions after December 31, 2000, and

before January 1, 2006.

B. Expanding Coverage

C Option to treat elective deferrals as after-tax contributions.--The bill provides that a

section 401(k) plan or a section 403(b) annuity may permit a participant to elect to have all

or a portion of the participant’s elective deferrals under the plan treated as designated plus

contributions. A qualified distribution from a participant’s designated plus contributions

account is not includible in the participant’s gross income. Designated plus contributions

are generally otherwise treated the same as elective deferrals for purposes of the qualified

plan rules. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31,

2000.

C Increase elective contribution limits.--Beginning in 2001, the bill increases the dollar limit

on annual elective deferrals under section 401(k) plans, section 403(b) annuities and salary

reduction SEPs in $1,000 annual increments until the limits reach $15,000 in 2005. 

Beginning in 2001, the bill increases the maximum annual elective deferrals that may be

made to a SIMPLE plan in $1,000 annual increments until the limit reaches $10,000 in

2004. The $15,000 and $10,000 dollar limits are indexed in $500 increments, as under

present law. The bill increases the dollar limit on deferrals under a section 457 plan to

$9,000 in 2001, $10,000 in 2002, $11,000 in 2003, and $12,000 in 2004. After 2004, the

limit is indexed in $500 increments. The limit is twice the otherwise applicable dollar

limit in the three years prior to retirement.

C Plan loans for subchapter S shareholders, partners, and sole proprietors.--The bill

generally eliminates the special present-law rules relating to plan loans made to an owneremployee. Thus, the general statutory exemption applies to such transactions. Present law

applies with respect to IRAs. The provision is effective with respect to transactions

entered into after December 31, 2000.

C Elective deferrals not taken into account for purposes of deduction limits.--Elective

deferral contributions are not subject to the qualified plan deduction limits, and the

application of a deduction limitation to any other employer contribution to a qualified

retirement plan does not take into account elective deferral contributions. The provision is

effective for years beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Reduce PBGC premiums for small and new plans.--Under the provision, for the first five

plan years of a new single-employer plan of a small employer, the flat-rate Pension Benefit

Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) premium is $5 per plan participant. The provision also

provides that the variable premium is phased in for new defined benefit plans over a sixyear period starting with the plan’s first plan year. The provision is effective for plans

established after December 31, 2000.
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C Eliminate IRS user fees for requests regarding new plans.--No user fee is required for any

determination letter, ruling, or opinion with respect to a new qualified plan. The provision

is effective for requests made after December 31, 2000.

C SAFE annuities and trusts.--A small business that does not maintain a qualified plan (other

than a section 401(k)-type plan) may establish a simplified retirement plan called the

Secure Assets For Employees (“SAFE”) plan. Under a SAFE plan, for each year of

participation, a participant generally accrues a minimum annual benefit at retirement equal

to 3 percent of the participant’s compensation for the year. Benefits under a SAFE plan are

not guaranteed by the PBGC. A SAFE plan is not subject to the nondiscrimination rules,

the top-heavy plan rules, or the limitations on benefits or contributions applicable to

qualified retirement plans. Simplified reporting and disclosure requirements apply to

SAFE plans. The provision is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Modification of top-heavy rules.--The provision modifies the top-heavy rules to provide

that a safe-harbor section 401(k) plan is not a top-heavy plan and that matching

contributions may be taken into account in satisfying the minimum contribution

requirements. In addition, the family attribution rule used to determine whether an

individual is a key employee by reason of being a 5-percent owner of the employer is

repealed. The provision is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2000.

C. Enhancing Fairness for Women

C Additional catch-up contributions.--The provision permits individuals who are age 50 or

older to make additional contributions to a section 401(k) (or similar plan) or to an IRA. 

The maximum permitted additional contribution is the applicable percent of the otherwise

applicable dollar contribution limitation. The applicable percent is 10 percent in 2001, and

increases by 10 percentage points until the applicable percent is 50 in 2005 and thereafter. 

Catch-up contributions to a section 401(k) (or similar) plan are not subject to any other

contribution limits, are not taken into account in applying other contribution limits, and are

not subject to nondiscrimination rules.

C Equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans.--The

provision (1) increases the 25 percent of compensation limitation on annual additions

under a defined contribution plan to 100 percent, (2) conforms the limits on contributions

to a tax-sheltered annuity to the limits applicable to tax-qualified plans, and (3) increases

the 33-1/3 percent of compensation limitation on deferrals under a section 457 plan to 100

percent of compensation. The provision is effective for years beginning after December

31, 2000.

C Clarification of tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce.--The

provision applies the taxation rules for qualified plan distributions pursuant to a QDRO to

distributions made pursuant to a domestic relations order from a section 457 plan. In

addition, a section 457 plan is not treated as violating the restrictions on distributions from
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such plans due to payments to an alternate payee under a QDRO. The provision is

effective for transfers, distributions and payments made after December 31, 2000.

C Modification of safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans.--The

Secretary of the Treasury is directed to revise the applicable regulations to reduce from 12

months to 6 months the period during which an employee must be prohibited from making

elective contributions and employee contributions in order for a distribution to be deemed

necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need. The provision is effective for

years beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Faster vesting of employer matching contributions.--Under the provision, employer

matching contributions have to vest at least as rapidly as under 3-year cliff vesting or under

6-year graded vesting that provides for a nonforfeitable right to 20 percent of employer

matching contributions for each year of service beginning with the participant’s second

year of service and ending with 100 percent after 6 years of service. The provision is

effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 2000, with a delayed effective date

for plans maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. 

D. Increasing Portability for Participants

C Rollovers of retirement plan and IRA distributions.--The bill provides that eligible

rollover distributions from qualified retirement plans, section 403(b) annuities, IRAs and

governmental section 457 plans generally can be rolled over to any of such plans or

arrangements. The direct rollover and withholding rules are extended to distributions from

a section 457 plan. The bill provides that employee after-tax contributions can be rolled

over into another qualified plan or a traditional IRA. In the case of a rollover from a

qualified plan to another qualified plan, the rollover can be accomplished only through a

direct rollover. The bill provides that surviving spouses can roll over distributions to a

qualified plan, section 403(b) annuity, or governmental section 457 plan in which the

spouse participates. The provision is effective for distributions made after December 31,

2000.

C Waiver of 60-day rule.--The provision provides that the Secretary may waive the 60-day

rollover period if the failure to waive such requirement would be against equity or good

conscience, including cases of casualty, disaster, or other events beyond the reasonable

control of the individual subject to such requirement. The provision applies to

distributions made after December 31, 2000.

C Treatment of forms of distribution.--If certain requirements are satisfied, a defined

contribution plan may eliminate optional forms of benefit (1) in connection with certain

transfers of benefits, or (2) if a single sum distribution is offered. In addition, the 

Secretary is to provide for circumstances under which early retirement benefits, 

retirement-type subsidies, or an optional form of benefit may be reduced or eliminated if

the rights of participants are not materially affected. The provision is effective for years

beginning after December 31, 2000.
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C Rationalization of restrictions on distributions.--The provision modifies the distribution

restrictions applicable to section 401(k) plans, section 403(b) annuities, and section 457

plans to provide that distribution may occur upon severance from employment rather than

separation from service. The provision is effective for distributions after December 31,

2000.

C Purchase of service credit under governmental pension plans.--A participant in a State or

local governmental plan is not required to include in gross income a direct trustee-totrustee transfer to a governmental defined benefit plan from a section 403(b) annuity or a

section 457 plan if the transferred amount is used (1) to purchase permissive service

credits under the plan, or (2) to repay certain contributions. The provision is effective for

transfers after December 31, 2000.

C Employers may disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out rules.--A plan is permitted to

disregard benefits attributable to rollover contributions for purposes of the cash-out rules. 

The provision is effective for distributions after December 31, 2000.

E. Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement

C Phase in repeal of 150 percent of current liability funding limit; deduction for contributions

to fund termination liability.--Under the bill, the current liability full funding limit is 160

percent of current liability for plan years beginning in 2001, 165 percent for plan years

beginning in 2002, and 170 percent for plan years beginning in 2003. The current liability

full funding limit is repealed for plan years beginning in 2004 and thereafter. The special

rule allowing a deduction for unfunded current liability generally is extended to all defined

benefit pension plans covered by the PBGC. The provision is effective for years beginning

after December 31, 2000.

C Extension of PBGC missing participants program.--The bill extends the PBGC missing

participant program to multiemployer plans. The provision is effective for distributions

from terminating plans that occur after the PBGC adopts final regulations implementing the

provision.

C Modifications to section 415 limits for multiemployer plans.--Under the provision, the 100

percent of compensation defined benefit plan limit does not apply to multiemployer plans. 

In addition, except in applying the defined benefit plan dollar limitation, multiemployer

plans are not aggregated with other plans in applying the limits on contributions and

benefits. The provision also applies certain special rules for defined benefit plans of

governmental employers to multiemployer plans. The provision is effective for years

beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Excise tax relief for sound pension.--If an employer elects, contributions in excess of the

current liability full funding limit are not subject to the excise tax on nondeductible

contributions. The provision is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2000.
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C Notice of significant reduction in plan benefit accruals.--The provision requires the plan

administrator of a defined benefit plan to notify plan participants in advance of an

amendment that significantly reduces the rate of future benefit accruals. The notice must

include sufficient information to allow participants to understand how the amendment will

affect different classes of employees. In some cases, additional information must be

provided after the amendment is effective. An excise tax applies if the required notice is

not provided.

C Investment of employee contributions in 401(k) plans.--The provision modifies the

effective date of the rule excluding certain elective deferrals (and earnings thereon) from

the definition of individual account plan. The provision is effective as if included in the

Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.

F. Encouraging Retirement Education

C Periodic pension benefit statements.--The provision provides for additional benefit

statements to be provided to plan participants. The provision is effective for plan years

beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Treatment of employer-provided retirement advice.--Under the bill, qualified retirement

planning services provided to an employee and his or her spouse by an employer

maintaining a qualified plan are generally excludable from income and wages. The

provision is effective with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

G. Reducing Regulatory Burdens

C Flexibility in nondiscrimination and coverage rules.--The Secretary of the Treasury is

directed to provide by regulation circumstances under which plans can use the prior-law

facts and circumstances test to satisfy the coverage and nondiscrimination rules.

C Modification of timing of plan valuations.--The provision provides that a valuation must be

performed with respect to a defined benefit plan with assets of at least 125 percent of

current liability only once every 3 years. The provision is effective for plan years

beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Rules for substantial owner benefits in terminated plans.--The bill increases the PBGC

guarantee for certain substantial owners. The bill is effective for plan terminations with

respect to which notices of intent to terminate are provided, or for which proceedings for

termination are instituted by the PBGC after December 31, 2000.

C ESOP dividends may be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction.--Under the bill, an

employer is entitled to deduct dividends that, at the election of plan participants or their

beneficiaries, are paid to the plan and reinvested in employer securities. The provision is

effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.
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C Notice and consent period regarding distributions.--A qualified retirement plan is required

to provide the applicable distribution notice no less than 30 days and no more than 12

months before the date distribution commences. The provision is effective for years

beginning after December 31, 2000.

C Repeal transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees.--The provision

repeals the special definition of highly compensated employee under the Tax Reform Act

of 1986. The provision is effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 1999.

C Employees of tax-exempt entities.--The Treasury Department is directed to revise its

regulations under section 410(b) to provide that, if certain requirements are satisfied,

employees of a tax-exempt charitable organization who are eligible to make salary

reduction contributions under a section 403(b) annuity may be treated as excludable

employees for purposes of testing a section 401(k) plan.

C Provisions relating to plan amendments.--Any amendments to a plan or annuity contract

required to be made by the provision are not required to be made before the last day of the

first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2003. In the case of a governmental plan, the

date for amendments is extended to the first plan year beginning on or after January 1,

2005. The provision is effective on the date of enactment.

C Extension to international organizations of moratorium on application of certain

nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local government plans.--A plan

maintained by a tax-exempt international organization is exempt from the nondiscrimination

and minimum participation rules. The provision is effective for plan years beginning after

December 31, 2000.

C Annual report dissemination.--Within 9 months after the end of each plan year, the plan

administrator is required to make available for examination a summary of the annual report

filed with the Secretary of Labor for the plan year. In addition, the plan administrator is

required to furnish the summary to a participant, or to a beneficiary receiving benefits

under the plan, upon request. The provision is effective for reports for years beginning

after December 31, 1998.

C Clarification of exclusion for employer-provided transit passes.--The provision repeals the

rule providing that cash reimbursements for transit benefits are excludable from income

only if a voucher or similar item which may be exchanged only for a transit pass is not

readily available for direct distribution by the employer. The provision is effective for

taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

TITLE IV. EDUCATION TAX RELIEF

A. Eliminate Marriage Penalty and 60-Month Limit on Student Loan Interest Deduction
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The bill increases the beginning point of the income phaseout for the student loan interest

deduction for individual taxpayers from $40,000 to $50,000. For taxpayers filing joint returns, the

bill increases the beginning point of the income phaseout to twice the beginning point of the income

phaseouts applicable to single taxpayers. The bill also repeals both the limit on the number of

months during which interest paid on a qualified education loan is deductible and the restriction

that nonmandatory payments of interest are not deductible. The provisions generally are effective

for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

B. Allow Tax-Free Distributions From State and Private Education Programs

The bill expands the definition of “qualified tuition program” to include certain prepaid

tuition programs established and maintained by one or more eligible educational institutions

(which may be private institutions). In the case of a qualified tuition program maintained by one or

more private educational institutions, persons will be able to purchase tuition credits or

certificates on behalf of a designated beneficiary, but will not be able to make contributions to a

savings account plan. The provisions generally are effective after December 31, 1999.

Under the bill, an exclusion from gross income is provided for distributions made in

taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999, from qualified State tuition programs to the

extent that the distribution is used to pay for qualified higher education expenses. This exclusion is

extended to distributions from qualified tuition programs maintained by educational institutions for

distributions made in taxable years after December 31, 2003. The bill also allows a taxpayer to

claim a HOPE credit or Lifetime Learning credit for a taxable year and to exclude from gross

income amounts distributed from a qualified tuition program and/or an education individual

retirement account on behalf of the same student as long as the distributions are not used for the

same expenses for which a credit was claimed.

C. Eliminate Tax on Awards Under National Health Service Corps

Scholarship Program and F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health

Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program

The bill provides that amounts received by an individual under the NHSC Scholarship

Program or the Armed Forces Scholarship Program are eligible for tax-free treatment as qualified

scholarships under section 117, without regard to any service obligation by the recipient. The

provision is effective for education awards received under the NHSC Scholarship Program and

the Armed Forces Scholarship Program after December 31, 1993.

D. Exclusion for Employer-Provided Educational Assistance

The provision makes the exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance

permanent. The provision also extends the exclusion to graduate education, effective for courses

beginning on or after January 1, 2000.

E. Liberalization of Tax-Exempt Financing Rules for Public School Construction
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The bill increases the amount of governmental bonds that may be issued by governments

qualifying for the small governmental unit arbitrage rebate exception and allows issuance of taxexempt private activity bonds for public school facilities, both effective for bonds issued after

December 31, 1999. The bill further permits a limited amount of guarantees of public school

bonds by the Federal Home Loan Banks. This guarantee provision will become effective only

after enactment of future legislation specifically authorizing the guarantees.

Title V. Health Care Tax Relief Provisions

A. Above-the-Line Deduction for Health Insurance Expenses

The provision provides an above-the-line deduction for a percentage of the amount paid

during the year for health insurance for the taxpayer and his or her spouse and dependents. The

deductible percentage is: 25 percent in 2001, 2002, and 2003; 50 percent in 2004 and 2005; and

100 percent in 2006 and thereafter. The deduction is not available to an individual for any month

in which the individual is covered under an employer-sponsored health plan if at least 50 percent

of the cost of the coverage is paid on a pre-tax basis. The deduction is not available with respect

to certain limited types of coverage, such as dental and vision coverage. The provision is

effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

B. Provisions Relating to Long-Term Care Insurance

The provision provides an above-the-line deduction for a percentage of the amount paid

during the year for long-term care insurance which constitutes medical care (as defined under sec.

213) for the taxpayer and his or her spouse and dependents. The deductible percentage is: 25

percent in 2001, 2002, and 2003; 50 percent in 2004 and 2005; and 100 percent in 2006 and

thereafter. The deduction is not available to an individual for any month in which the individual is

covered under an employer-sponsored plan if at least 50 percent of the cost of the coverage is paid

on a pre-tax basis. In addition, the bill provides that qualified long-term care insurance may be

provided under a cafeteria plan (subject to the premium caps applicable to the deduction) and that

qualified long-term care services may be provided under a flexible spending arrangement. The

provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

C. Additional Personal Exemption for Caretakers

The bill provides an additional personal exemption to taxpayers who maintain a household

including one or more parents or ancestors of the taxpayer, or the taxpayer’s spouse, if such parent

or ancestor has been certified to need long term care for a period which is at least 180 consecutive

days and a portion of which occurs within the taxable year. The provision is effective for taxable

years beginning after December 31, 1999.

D. Add Certain Vaccines Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae

to the List of Taxable Vaccines; Reduce Excise Tax on Vaccines
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The bill adds any conjugate vaccine against streptococcus pneumoniae to the list of taxable

vaccines. The provision is effective for vaccine purchases beginning on the day after the date on

which the Centers for Disease Control make final recommendation for routine administration of

conjugated streptococcus pneumonia vaccines to children. The bill also reduces the rate of tax

applicable to all taxable vaccines from 75 cents per dose to 25 cents per dose for sales of

vaccines after December 31, 2004. In addition, the bill directs the General Accounting Office

(“GAO”) to report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on

Finance on the operation and management of expenditures from the Vaccine Trust Fund and to

advise the Committees on the adequacy of the Vaccine Trust Fund to meet future claims under the

Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

TITLE VI. SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS

A. Accelerate 100-Percent Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction

Beginning in 2000, the provision increases the deduction for health insurance expenses

(and qualified long-term care insurance expenses) of self-employed individuals to 100 percent. 

B. Increase Section 179 Expensing

The provision provides that the maximum dollar amount that may be deducted under

section 179 is increased to $30,000 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

C. Repeal of Temporary Federal Unemployment Surtax

The bill repeals the temporary Federal Unemployment Tax Act (“FUTA”) surtax, effective

for labor performed on or after January 1, 2005.

D. Coordinate Farmer Income Averaging and the Alternative Minimum Tax

The provision coordinates farmer income averaging with the alternative minimum tax. A

farmer electing to average his or her farm income will owe alternative minimum tax only to the

extent he or she would have owed alternative minimum tax had averaging not been elected. The

provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

E. Farm and Ranch Risk Management Accounts

The bill allows active farmers to establish Farm and Ranch Risk Management (“FARRM”)

accounts. Deductible contributions to a FARRM account are limited to 20 percent of active farm

income. Income earned by a FARRM account must be distributed currently and distributions are

included in income when received. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after

December 31, 2000.
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TITLE VII. ESTATE AND GIFT TAX RELIEF

A. Reduce Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes

The 5-percent surtax and the rates in excess of 50 percent are repealed for estates of

decedents dying and gifts and generation-skipping transfers made after December 31, 2000. The

unified credit is replaced with a unified exemption for estates of decedents dying and gifts made

after December 31, 2003. The unified exemption amount is increased to $1.5 million for estates of

decedents dying and gifts made after December 31, 2006.

B. Expand Estate Tax Rule for Conservation Easements

The bill expands the rule for conservation easements by increasing to 50 miles the distance

within which the land must be situated from a metropolitan area, national park, or wilderness area

in order to be a qualified conservation easement, effective for estates of decedents dying after

December 31, 1999. The bill also clarifies that the date for determining easement compliance is

the date on which the donation was made, effective for estates of decedents dying after December

31, 1997.

C. Increase Annual Gift Exclusion

The annual gift tax exclusion is increased as follows: to $12,000, for each donee, for gifts

made after December 31, 2000, but before January 1, 2002; to $13,500 for gifts made after

December 31, 2001, but before January 1, 2003; to $15,000 for gifts made after December 31,

2002, but before January 1, 2004; to $16,500 for gifts made after December 31, 2003, but before

January 1, 2005; to $18,000 for gifts made after December 31, 2004, but before January 1, 2006,

and to $20,000 for gifts made after December 31, 2005, and thereafter.

D. Simplification of Generation-Skipping Transfer (“GST”) Tax

C Retroactive allocation of the GST tax exemption.--Under the provision, if a lineal

descendant of the transferor predeceases the transferor, then the transferor may allocate any

unused GST exemption to any previous transfer or transfers to the trust on a chronological

basis. The provision permits a transferor to retroactively allocate GST exemption to a

trust where a beneficiary (a) is a non-skip person, (b) is a lineal descendant of the

transferor’s grandparent or a grandparent of the transferor’s spouse, (c) is a generation

younger than the generation of the transferor, and (d) dies before the transferor. The

provision applies to deaths of non-skip persons occurring after the date of enactment.

C Severing of trusts holding property having an inclusion ratio of greater than zero.--The bill

allows a trust to be severed if (1) a single trust was divided on a fractional basis, and (2)

the terms of the new trusts, in the aggregate, provide for the same succession of interests of

beneficiaries as are provided in the original trust. The provision is effective for

severances of trusts occurring after the date of enactment.
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C Modification of certain valuation rules.--The bill provides that, in connection with timely

and automatic allocations of GST transfer tax, the value of the property for purposes of

determining the inclusion ratio shall be its finally determined gift tax value or estate tax

value depending on the circumstances of the transfer. The provision is effective as though

included in the amendments made by section 1431 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

C Relief from late elections.--The bill authorizes and directs the Treasury Secretary to grant

extensions of time to make the election to allocate GST tax exemption and to grant

exceptions to the time requirement. When such relief is granted, the value on the date of

transfer to a trust is used for determining GST tax exemption allocation. The provision to

provide relief from late elections applies to requests pending on, or filed after, the date of

enactment.

C Substantial compliance.--The bill provides that substantial compliance with the statutory

and regulatory requirements for allocating GST tax exemption is sufficient to establish that

GST tax exemption was allocated to a particular transfer or a particular trust. The

substantial compliance provisions are effective on the date of enactment and apply to

allocations made prior to such date for purposes of determining the tax consequences of

generation-skipping transfers with respect to which the period of time for filing claims for

refund has not expired.

TITLE VIII. TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION PROVISIONS

A. Provide Tax Exemption for Organizations Created by a State to Provide

Property and Casualty Insurance Coverage for Property

for Which Such Coverage Is Otherwise Unavailable

The provision provides tax-exempt status for any association created before January 1,

1999, by State law and organized and operated exclusively to provide property and casualty

insurance coverage for property located within the State for which the State has determined that

coverage in the authorized insurance market is limited or unavailable at reasonable rates, provided

certain requirements are met. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after

December 31, 1999.

B. Modify Section 512(b)(13)

The bill provides that the general rule of section 512(b)(13), which includes interest, rent,

annuity, or royalty payments made by a controlled entity to a tax-exempt organization in the latter

organization’s unrelated business income, applies only to the portion of payments received in a

taxable year that exceed the amount of the specified payment which would have been paid if such

payment had been determined in an arm’s length transaction. The bill also imposes an addition to

tax of 20 percent of the excess amount of any such payment. The provision applies to payments

received or accrued after December 31, 1999.
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C. Simplify Lobbying Expenditure Limitations

The bill removes the separate percentage limitation on grass roots lobbying expenditures. 

Consequently, public charities are subject to an expenditure limitation only on their total lobbying

expenditures. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

D. Tax-Free Withdrawals From IRAs for Charitable Purposes

The provision provides an exclusion from gross income for qualified charitable

distributions from an IRA: (1) to a charitable organization to which deductible contributions can

be made; (2) to a charitable remainder annuity trust or charitable remainder unitrust; (3) to a

pooled income fund; or (4) for the issuance of a charitable gift annuity. A qualified charitable

distribution is any distribution from an IRA which is made after age 70-1/2, and which is made

directly to the charitable organization or to a charitable remainder annuity trust, charitable

remainder unitrust, or charitable gift annuity. The provision is effective with respect to

distributions after December 31, 2000.

E. Provide Exclusion for Mileage Reimbursements by Charitable Organizations

Under the bill, reimbursement by certain charitable organizations for the costs of using an

automobile in connection with providing donated services is excludable from the gross income of

the volunteer. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

F. Charitable Contribution Deduction for Certain Expenses Incurred

in Support of Native Alaskan Subsistence Whaling

The bill allows individuals to claim a deduction under section 170 not exceeding $7,500

per taxable year for certain expenses incurred in carrying out sanctioned whaling activities. No

inference is intended regarding the deductibility of any whaling expenses incurred in a taxable year

ending before January 1, 2000. The provision is effective for taxable years ending after December

31, 1999.

G. Charitable Giving Provisions

C Charitable contributions to low-income schools.--The bill allows taxpayers to claim a

charitable contribution deduction for donations to public, private, and parochial lowincome elementary and secondary schools made after the end of the taxable year and on or

before the date for filing the taxpayer’s Federal income tax return, effective for taxable

years beginning after December 31, 1999.

C Charitable deduction for non-itemizers.--For 2000 and 2001, the bill allows taxpayers who

do not itemize their deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions in addition

to the standard deduction. The deduction is limited to $50 for individual taxpayers and

$100 for taxpayers filing joint returns.
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C Increase in limit on charitable contributions as a percentage of AGI.--Beginning in 2002,

the bill increases the 50-percent and 30-percent limitations applicable to charitable

contributions of cash and capital gain property to public charities and certain other

charitable entities by individuals by 2 percent per year until the limitations are equal to 60

percent and 30 percent, respectively, in 2006. In 2007, the limitations are increased to 70

percent and 50 percent, respectively. Beginning in 2002, the bill increases the 10-percent

limitation applicable to charitable contributions by corporations by 2 percent per year until

the limitation is equal to 20 percent in 2006.

H. Modify Excess Business Holdings Rules for Publicly Traded Stock

Under the bill, a private foundation and all disqualified persons are permitted to own up to

49 percent of the voting stock and 49 percent in value of all outstanding shares of all classes of

stock in an incorporated business enterprise if the stock held by the foundation and disqualified

persons is publicly traded stock for which market quotations are readily available. The bill limits

aggregate ownership by disqualified persons to not more than 2 percent of the voting stock and not

more than 2 percent in value of all outstanding shares of all classes of stock. The provision is

effective for foundations established by bequest of decedents dying after December 31, 2006.

TITLE IX. INTERNATIONAL TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS

A. Allocate Interest Expense on Worldwide Basis

The bill modifies the present-law interest expense allocation rules (which generally apply

for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit limitations) by providing a one-time election

under which the taxable income of the domestic members of an affiliated group from sources

outside the United States generally would be determined by allocating and apportioning interest

expense of the domestic members of a worldwide affiliated group on a worldwide-group basis. 

For purposes of the new elective rules based on worldwide fungibility, the affiliated group is

expanded to include foreign corporations that satisfy the requirements for affiliation but are

excluded under section 1504(b)(3) (i.e., foreign corporations in which at least 80 percent of the

total vote and value of the stock of such corporations is owned by one or more members of the

affiliated group). In addition, if a taxpayer elects to be governed by the new worldwide fungibility

principle, the bill provides an additional one-time election to apply the worldwide fungibility

principle to a separate subgroup of the worldwide affiliated group consisting of all members that

are predominantly engaged in a financial services business. The provision is effective for taxable

years beginning after December 31, 2003.

B. Look-Through Rules to Apply to Dividends From

Noncontrolled Section 902 Corporations

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002, the bill applies the look-through

approach to all dividends paid by a 10/50 company for foreign tax credit limitation purposes,
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regardless of the year in which the earnings and profits out of which the dividend is paid were

accumulated. The bill provides a transition rule under which pre-effective date foreign tax credits

associated with a 10/50 company separate limitation category can be carried forward into posteffective date years.

C. Subpart F Treatment of Pipeline Transportation Income and Income

From Transmission of High Voltage Electricity

The bill exempts income derived from the transmission of high voltage electricity from the

definition of foreign base company services income. Further, the bill provides that foreign base

company oil related income does not include income from the pipeline transportation of oil or gas

within a foreign country. The provision is effective for taxable years of foreign corporations

beginning after December 31, 2002, and taxable years of U.S. shareholders with or within which

such taxable years of foreign corporations end.

D. Prohibit Disclosure of APAs and APA Background Files

The bill provides that Advance Pricing Agreements (“APAs”) and related background

information are confidential return information not subject to the public inspection requirements of

section 6110. The bill also requires the Treasury Department to prepare an extensive annual

report regarding APAs. The provision is effective on the date of enactment.

E. Exempt Certain Sales of Frequent-Flyer and Similar Reduced-Fare

Air Transportation Rights from Aviation Excise Taxes

The provision exempts from the 7.5-percent tax, air transportation rights sold which are

credited to accounts of persons having a mailing address outside the United States. The provision

applies to air transportation rights sold after December 31, 1999.

F. Repeal of Limitation of Foreign Tax Credit under Alternative Minimum Tax

The bill repeals the 90-percent limitation on the utilization of the AMT foreign tax credit. 

The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.

G. Treatment of Military Property of Foreign Sales Corporations

The bill repeals the special FSC limitation relating to the export of military property, thus

providing exports of military property through a FSC with the same treatment currently provided

exports of non-military property. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after

December 31, 2004.
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TITLE X. HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF

A. Increase Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Cap

The bill modifies the $1.25 per capita cap to guarantee each State a minimum of $2 million

of annual credit cap. The $1.25 per capita element of the credit cap is phased up to $1.75 per

capita, by increasing the credit cap by 10 cents each year for five years. The provision is effective

for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2000.

B. Tax Credit for Renovating Historic Homes

The bill permits a taxpayer to claim a 20-percent credit for qualified rehabilitation

expenditures made with respect to a qualified historic home which the taxpayer subsequently

occupies as his or her principal residence for at least five years. The total credit which could be

claimed by the taxpayer is limited to $20,000 ($10,000 in the case of married taxpayer filing a

separate return) with respect to any qualified historic home. The provision is effective for

expenditures paid or incurred beginning after December 31, 1999.

C. Provisions Relating to REITs

The bill limits a Real Estate Investment Trust’s (“REIT’s”) ownership to 10 percent of the

value (as well as vote) of any single issuer and provides that a REIT may own a taxable REIT

subsidiary if certain requirements are met. The bill also provides rules with respect to the

operation of hotels and health care facilities, and modifies the rules for calculating REIT earnings

and profits (with a conforming rule for RICs). The provisions are generally effective after

December 31, 2000.

D. Increase State Volume Limits on Tax-Exempt Private Activity Bonds

The bill accelerates the scheduled phase up to $75 per resident of each State or $225

million (if greater) of the annual State private activity bond volume limits. Under the bill, the

phase up will begin in calendar year 2001 and will be fully phased-in for calendar year 2005 and

thereafter.

E. Treatment of Leasehold Improvements

The bill provides a 15-year depreciable life for qualified leasehold improvement property. 

The provision is effective for qualified leasehold improvement property placed in original service

by the lessee after December 31, 2002.
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XI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

A. Repeal Certain Excise Taxes on Rail Diesel Fuel and Inland Waterway Barge Fuels

The 4.3-cents-per-gallon General Fund excise tax rates on diesel fuel used in trains and

fuels used in barges operating on the designated inland waterways system is repealed. 

Upon repeal of the 4.3-cents-per-gallon General Fund tax on diesel fuel used in trains, the Leaking

Underground Storage Tank excise tax automatically expires. The provision is effective after

September 30, 2000.

B. Tax Treatment of Alaska Native Settlement Trusts

Under the bill, an Alaska Native Corporation may establish a Trust under section 39 of the

Alaska Native Corporation Settlement Act, and if the Trust makes an election for its first taxable

year ending after December 31, 1999, no amount will be includible in the gross income of a

beneficiary of such Trust by reason of a contribution to the Trust. In addition, unless the Trust fails

to meet all the requirements of the provision, the Trust will be permitted to accumulate up to 45

percent of its income each year without tax to the Trust or the beneficiaries on that income. The

provision is effective for taxable years of Settlement Trusts ending after December 31, 1999, and

contributions to such Trusts after that date.

C. Allow Corporations to Take Certain Minimum Tax Credits Against Minimum Tax

The bill allows a corporation with long-term AMT credits to use the AMT credits to offset

a portion of its tentative minimum tax. The portion so allowed is the least of: (1) the amount of the

corporation’s long-term minimum tax credit; (2) 50 percent of the corporation’s tentative minimum

tax; or (3) the amount by which the corporation’s tentative minimum tax exceeds its regular tax for

the taxable year. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.

D. Allow Net Operating Losses from Oil and Gas Properties

To Be Carried Back For Up to Five Years

The bill provides a special five-year carryback for certain eligible oil and gas losses, 

defined as the lesser of (1) the amount which would be the taxpayer’s NOL for the taxable year if

only income and deductions attributable to operating mineral interests in oil and gas wells were

taken into account, or (2) the amount of such net operating loss for such taxable year. The

provision applies to NOLs arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998.

E. Election to Expense Geological and Geophysical Expenditures

The bill allows geological and geophysical costs incurred in connection with oil and gas

exploration in the United States to be deducted currently. The provision is effective for geological

and geophysical costs incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.
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F. Deduction for Delay Rental Payments

The bill allows delay rental payments in connection with oil and gas production to be

deducted currently. The provision applies to delay rental payments incurred in taxable years

beginning after December 31, 1999. No inference is intended from the prospective effective date

of this provision as to the proper treatment of pre-effective date delay rental payments.

G. Simplify the Active Trade or Business Requirement for Tax-Free Spin-Offs

The provision simplifies the active trade or business requirement by eliminating the

“substantially all” test, and instead, applying the active trade or business requirement on an

affiliated group basis. In applying the active trade or business test to an affiliated group, each

separate affiliated group (immediately after the distribution) must satisfy the requirement. The

provision is effective for distributions after the date of enactment. Transition relief is provided for

any distribution that meets certain requirements.

H. Increase the Maximum Dollar Amount of Reforestation Expenditures

Eligible for Amortization and Credit

The provision increases from $10,000 to $25,000 per taxable year the amount of

reforestation expenditures eligible for 7-year amortization and the reforestation credit. For taxable

years beginning in 2000 through 2003, the provision removes the limitation on the amount eligible

for 7-year amortization. The provision is effective for expenditures paid or incurred in taxable

years beginning after December 31, 1999.

I. Modify Excise Tax on Arrow Components and Accessories

The bill makes two modifications to the excise tax on arrows and arrow accessories. 

First, the amendment extends the 12.4-percent tax on arrow components to inserts and outserts

designed for use with taxable arrows. Second, the bill reclassifies “broadheads,” or arrow points

designed for hunting fish or large animals, as arrow accessories subject to the 11-percent tax

rather than arrow points subject to the 12.4-percent tax (as under present law). The provision

applies to sales by manufacturers beginning on the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins

more than 30 days after the bill’s enactment.

J. Increase Joint Committee on Taxation Refund Review Threshold to $2 Million

The bill increases the threshold above which refunds must be submitted to the Joint

Committee on Taxation for review from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. The provision is effective on

the date of enactment.

K. Modify the Definition of Rural Airport Eligible for

Reduced Air Passenger Ticket Tax Rate
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The definition of qualified rural airport (eligible for reduced aviation tax) is expanded to

include otherwise qualified airports that are located within 75 miles of a larger airport if those

airports are not connected by road to the larger airport. The provision is effective for amounts

paid after December 31, 1999, for air transportation beginning after that date.

L. Dividends Paid by Cooperatives

Under the provision, patronage-sourced income would not be reduced to the extent that the

organizational documents provide that dividends on capital stock are in addition to amounts

otherwise payable as patronage dividends. The provision is effective for distributions made in

taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.

M. Permit Consolidation of Life Insurance and Nonlife Companies

The bill repeals the 5-year limitation on treating life insurance companies as includible

corporations that may file a consolidated tax return with an affiliated group including nonlife

insurance companies. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31,

2000.

N. Modify Personal Holding Company “Lending and Finance Business” Exception

The provision modifies the personal holding company exclusion for lending or finance

companies to provide that, in determining whether a member of an affiliated group filing a

consolidated return is a lending or finance company, only corporations engaged in a lending or

finance business are taken into account, and all such companies are aggregated for purposes of this

determination. The provision also modifies the definition of a lending or finance company. It

includes leasing and certain activities relating to lending or leasing. It also repeals the business

expense requirement and the limitation on the maturity of loans made by a lending or finance

business. The provision is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

O. Tax Credit for Modifications to Inter-City Buses Required

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

The bill extends the disabled access credit to a business without regard to the eligible

small business limitation generally applicable under the credit for the cost of making certain intercity buses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The provision is effective for taxable

years beginning after December 31, 1999, and before January 1, 2012.

P. Increased Deduction for Business Meals While Operating Under

Department of Transportation Hours of Service Limitations

The bill accelerates the full 80-percent deduction for business meals for taxpayers

operating under Department of Transportation hours of service limitations to taxable years

beginning after 2006.
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Q. Authorize Limited Private Activity Tax-Exempt Financing for Highway Construction

The amendment authorizes issuance of up to $15 billion of private activity tax-exempt

bonds to finance the construction of up to the 15 private highway pilot projects made eligible for

other special assistance under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The provision

applies to bonds issued after December 31, 1999.

R. Extend Tax Credit for First-Time D.C. Homebuyers

The D.C. first-time homebuyer tax credit is extended for one year, through December 31,

2001. In addition, the phase-out range for married individuals filing a joint return is increased so

that it is twice that of individuals. The provision increasing the phase-out range is effective for

taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

S. Expand the Zero-Percent Capital Gains Rate for D.C. Zone Assets

The provision eliminates the 10-percent poverty rate limitation for purposes of the zeropercent capital gains rate. Thus, the zero-percent capital gains rate applies to capital gains from

the sale of assets held more than five years attributable to certain qualifying businesses located in

the District of Columbia. The provision is effective for D.C. Zone assets originally acquired by

the taxpayer after December 31, 1999.

T. Establish a Seven-Year Recovery Period for Natural Gas Gathering Lines

The provision establishes a statutory seven-year recovery period for certain natural gas

gathering lines. The proposal is effective for property placed in service on or after the date of

enactment.

U. Reclassify Air Transportation on Certain Small Seaplanes

As Non-Commercial Aviation for Excise Tax Purposes

The provision reclassifies passenger transportation for hire on certain small seaplanes as

non-commercial aviation. As such, the transportation will be subject to the full 19.3 cents-pergallon and 21.8-cents-per-gallon excise taxes rather than the passenger ticket tax. The provision is

effective for transportation beginning after December 31, 1999.

TITLE XII. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING PROVISIONS

A. Extension of Research Tax Credit

The bill permanently extends the research tax credit. In addition, the bill increases the

credit rate applicable under the alternative incremental research credit one percentage point per

step, that is from 1.65 percent to 2.65 percent when a taxpayer's current-year research expenses

exceed a base amount of 1 percent but do not exceed a base amount of 1.5 percent; from 2.2
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percent to 3.2 percent when a taxpayer's current-year research expenses exceed a base amount of

1.5 percent but do not exceed a base amount of 2 percent; and from 2.75 percent to 3.75 percent

when a taxpayer's current-year research expenses exceed a base amount of 2 percent. The

extension of the research credit is effective for qualified research expenditures paid or incurred

after June 30, 1999. The increase in the credit rate under the alternative incremental research

credit is effective for taxable years beginning after June 30, 1999.

B. Extend Exceptions under Subpart F for Active Financing Income

The bill extends for five years the present-law temporary exceptions from subpart F

foreign personal holding company income, foreign base company services income, and insurance

income for certain income that is derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing, or similar

business, or in the conduct of an insurance business. The provision is effective for taxable years

of a foreign corporation beginning after December 31, 1999, and before January 1, 2005, and for

taxable years of U.S. shareholders with or within which such taxable years of such foreign

corporation end.

C. Extend Suspension of Net Income Limitation

on Percentage Depletion from Marginal Oil and Gas Wells

The bill extends the present-law rule suspending the 100-percent-of-net-income limitation

with respect to oil and gas production from marginal wells to include taxable years beginning after

December 31, 1999, and before January 1, 2005.

D. Extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The bill extends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for 5 years (through July 1, 2004). 

Generally, the provision is effective for wages paid to, or incurred with respect to, qualified

individuals who begin work for the employer on or after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2004.

E. Extend the Welfare-To-Work Tax Credit

The bill extends the welfare-to-work credit for five years, so that the credit is available for

eligible individuals who begin work for an employer before July 1, 2004. The provision is

effective for wages paid or incurred to a qualified individual who begins work for an employer on

or after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2004.

F. Extend and Modify Tax Credit for Electricity Produced

by Wind and Closed-Loop Biomass Facilities

The present-law tax credit for electricity produced by wind and closed-loop biomass is

extended for five years, for facilities placed in service after June 30, 1999, and before July 1,

2004. The provision also modifies the tax credit to include electricity produced from poultry

waste, for facilities placed in service after December 31, 1999, and before July 1, 2004. The
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credit further is expanded to include electricity produced from landfill gas, for electricity

produced from facilities placed in service after December 31, 1999, and before June 30, 2004. 

Finally, the credit is expanded to include electricity produced from certain other non-closed loop

biomass. In the case of this additional biomass, the credit applies to electricity produced after

December 31, 1999, from facilities that are placed in service before January 1, 2003 (including

facilities placed in service before the date of enactment of this provision), but no credits may be

claimed for production before January 1, 2000. The credit is allowed for production attributable

to biomass, other than closed-loop biomass, produced at facilities that are co-fired with coal.

G. Extend Exemption From Diesel Dyeing Requirement for Certain Areas in Alaska

The bill makes the excise tax exemption for Alaska urban areas permanent (i.e.,

independent of the EPA rules). The provision is effective on the date of enactment.

H. Expensing of Environmental Remediation Expenditures

The bill extends the expiration date for eligible expenditures to include those paid or

incurred before July 1, 2004. In addition, the bill eliminates the targeted area requirement,

thereby, expanding eligible sites to include any site containing (or potentially containing) a

hazardous substance that is certified by the appropriate State environmental agency, but not those

sites that are identified on the national priorities list under the Comprehensive Environmental

Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. The provision to extend the expiration date is

effective upon the date of enactment. The provision to expand the class of eligible sites is

effective for expenditures paid or incurred after December 31, 1999.

TITLE XIII. REVENUE OFFSET PROVISIONS

A. Modify Foreign Tax Credit Carryover Rules

The bill reduces the carryback period for excess foreign tax credits from two years to one

year. The bill also extends the excess foreign tax credit carryforward period from five years to

seven years. The provision applies to foreign tax credits arising in taxable years beginning after

December 31, 1999.

B. Expand Reporting of Cancellation of Indebtedness Income

The bill requires that information reporting on discharges of indebtedness also be done by

any organization a significant trade or business of which is the lending of money, such as finance

companies and credit card companies (whether or not affiliated with financial institutions). The

bill is effective with respect to discharges of indebtedness after December 31, 1999.
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C. Increase Elective Withholding Rate for Nonperiodic Distributions

From Deferred Compensation Plans

Under the bill, the elective withholding rate for nonperiodic distributions from deferred

compensation plans is increased from 10 percent to 15 percent. The provision is effective for

distributions made after December 31, 2000.

D. Extension of IRS User Fees

The bill extends the statutory authorization for these user fees through September 30, 2009. 

The bill also moves the statutory authorization for these fees into the Internal Revenue Code. The

provision is effective for requests made after the date of enactment.

E. Treatment of Excess Pension Assets Used for Retiree Health Benefits

The present-law provision permitting qualified transfers of excess defined benefit pension

plan assets to provide retiree health benefits under a section 401(h) account is extended through

September 30, 2009. In addition, the present-law minimum benefit requirement is replaced by the

minimum cost requirement that applied to qualified transfers before December 9, 1994, to section

401(h) accounts, generally effective with respect to transfers after the date of enactment.

F. Clarify the Tax Treatment of Income and Losses on Derivatives

The bill adds three categories to the list of assets the gain or loss on which is treated as

ordinary under section 1221. The new categories are: (1) commodities derivatives held by

commodities derivatives dealers; (2) hedging transactions; and (3) supplies of a type regularly

consumed by the taxpayer in the ordinary course of the taxpayer’s trade or business. With respect

to hedging transactions, the bill replaces the present-law risk reduction standard with a risk

management standard. The provision is effective for any instrument held, acquired or entered into,

transactions entered into, and supplies held or acquired on or after the date of enactment.

G. Loophole Closers

C Limit use of non-accrual experience method of accounting to amounts to be received for

performance of qualified professional services.--The bill provides that the non-accrual

experience method will be available only for amounts to be received for the performance

of qualified personal services. The provision is effective for taxable years ending after the

date of enactment.

C Impose limitation on prefunding of certain employee benefits.--Under the provision, the

present-law exception to the deduction limit for 10-or-more employer plans is limited to

plans that provide only medical benefits, disability benefits, and qualifying group-term life

insurance benefits. If any portion of a welfare benefit fund attributable to contributions that

are deductible under the 10-or-more employer rule is used for a purpose other than the
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purpose for which the contributions were made, an excise tax is imposed. The provision is

effective with respect to contributions paid or accrued on or after June 9, 1999, in taxable

years ending after such date.

C Modify installment method and prohibit its use by accrual method taxpayers.--The

provision generally prohibits the use of the installment method of accounting for

dispositions of property that would otherwise be reported for Federal income tax purposes

using an accrual method of accounting. The provision does not change present law

regarding the availability of the installment method for dispositions of property used or

produced in the trade or business of farming. The provision modifies the pledge rule to

provide that entering into any arrangement that gives the taxpayer the right to satisfy an

obligation with an installment note will be treated in the same manner as the direct pledge

of the installment note. The provision is effective for sales or other dispositions entered

into on or after the date of enactment.

C Limit conversion of character of income from constructive ownership transactions.--The

bill limits the amount of long-term capital gain a taxpayer can recognize from certain

derivative contracts transactions with respect to certain financial assets. The amount of

long-term capital gain is limited to the amount of such gain the taxpayer would have had if

the taxpayer held the financial asset directly during the term of the derivative contract. Any

gain in excess of this amount is treated as ordinary income. An interest charge is imposed

on the amount of gain that is treated as ordinary income. This provision applies to

transactions entered into on or after July 12, 1999.

C Denial of charitable contribution deduction for transfers associated with split-dollar

insurance arrangements.--The bill restates present law to provide that no charitable

contribution deduction is allowed for a transfer to or for the use of a charitable

organization, if in connection with the transfer the organization directly or indirectly pays,

or has previously paid, any premium on any personal benefit contract with respect to the

transferor, or there is an understanding or expectation that any person will directly or

indirectly pay any premium on any personal benefit contract with respect to the transferor. 

The bill also imposes on the charitable organization an excise tax in the amount of the

premiums paid. The provision applies generally to transfers, or premiums paid, after

February 8, 1999.

C Modify estimated tax rules for closely held REIT dividends.--In the case of a REIT that is

closely held, any person owning at least 10 percent of the vote or value of the REIT is

required to accelerate the recognition of year-end dividends attributable to the closely held

REIT, for purposes of such person’s estimated tax payments. The provision is effective for

estimated tax payments due on or after September 15, 1999.

C Prohibited allocations of stock in an S corporation ESOP.--Under the provision, if there is

a prohibited allocation of stock to a disqualified indiviudal under an ESOP sponsored by

an S corporation at least 50 percent of which is owned by disqualified individuals: (1) an

excise tax is imposed on the employer equal to 50 percent of the amount involved in the
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prohibited allocation; and (2) the stock allocated in the prohibited allocation is treated as

distributed to the disqualified individual. The provision is generally effective with respect

to years beginning after December 31, 2000. In the case of an ESOP established after July

14, 1999, or an ESOP established on or before such date if the employer maintaining the

plan was not an S corporation on such date, the provision is effective with respect to plan

years ending after July 14, 1999.

C Modify anti-abuse rules related to assumption of liabilities.--The provision deletes the

limitation that the assumption of liabilities anti-abuse rule only applies to tax avoidance on

the exchange itself, and changes “the principal purpose” standard to “a principal purpose.” 

The provision also affects the basis rule that requires a decrease in the transferor's basis in

the transferee's stock when a liability, the payment of which would give rise to a deduction,

is treated as boot under the anti-abuse rule. The provision is effective for assumptions of

liabilities on or after July 15, 1999.

C Require consistent treatment and provide basis allocation rules for transfers of intangibles

in certain nonrecognition transactions.--The provision treats a transfer of an interest in

intangible property constituting less than all of the substantial rights of the transferor in the

property as a transfer of property for purposes of the nonrecognition provisions regarding

transfers of property to controlled corporations and partnerships. In the case of a transfer

of less than all of the substantial rights, the transferor is required to allocate the basis of the

intangible between the retained rights and the transferred rights based upon their respective

fair market values. The provision is effective for transfers on or after the date of

enactment.

C Modify treatment of closely-held REITs.--The bill imposes as an additional requirement

for REIT qualification that, except for the first taxable year for which an entity elects to be

a REIT, no one person can own stock of a REIT possessing 50 percent or more of the

combined voting power of all classes of voting stock or 50 percent or more of the total

value of shares of all classes of stock of the REIT. The provision is effective for taxable

years ending after July 14, 1999. Any entity that elects (or has elected) REIT status for a

taxable year including July 14, 1999, and which has significant business assets or activities

as of such date is not subject to the provision.

C Distributions by a partnership to a corporate partner of stock in another corporation.--The

bill provides for a basis reduction to assets of a corporation if stock in that corporation is

distributed by a partnership to a corporate partner. The reduction applies if, after the

distribution, the corporate partner controls the distributed corporation. The provision is

effective for distributions after July 14, 1999.

TITLE XIV. TAX TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

The bill adopts technical corrections to recent tax legislation.