TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF H.R. 3768, 

“THE HURRICANE KATRINA TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2005” 

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 

Prepared by the Staff 

of the 

JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION 

September 20, 2005 

JCX-67-05
 

ii

CONTENTS 

Page

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

TITLE I − PENALTY-FREE USE OF RETIREMENT FUNDS IN THE CASE OF 

HURRICANE KATRINA .............................................................................................................. 2 

A. Penalty-Free Withdrawals from Retirement Plans for Taxpayers Affected by 

Hurricane Katrina (sec. 101 of the bill and secs. 72(t), 401(k), 402(c), and 403(b) 

of the Code)..................................................................................................................... 2 

B. Income Averaging for Disaster-Relief Distributions Related to Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 102 of the bill) ........................................................................................................ 4

C. Recontributions of Withdrawals for Home Purchases Cancelled Due to Hurricane 

Katrina (sec. 103 of the bill) ........................................................................................... 5 

D. Loans from Qualified Plans for Victims of Hurricane Katrina (sec. 104 of the bill) ..... 7 

E. Provisions Relating to Plan Amendments (sec. 105 of the bill) ..................................... 9 

TITLE II – EMPLOYMENT RELIEF ......................................................................................... 10 

A. Work Opportunity Tax Credit for Hurricane Katrina Employees Survivor 

(sec. 201 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 10 

B. Employee Retention Credit for Employers Affected by Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 202 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 13 

TITLE III − CHARITABLE GIVING INCENTIVES ................................................................. 15 

A. Temporary Suspension of Limitations on Charitable Contributions 

(sec. 301 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 15 

B. Charitable Deduction for Contributions of Food Inventories (sec. 302 of the bill)...... 19 

C. Charitable Deduction for Contributions of Book Inventories (sec. 303 of the bill) ..... 22 

D. Additional Exemption for Housing Hurricane Katrina Displaced Individuals 

(sec. 304 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 24 

E. Increase in Standard Mileage Rate for Charitable Use of Certain Vehicles 

(sec. 305 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 26 

F. Mileage Reimbursements to Charitable Volunteers Excluded from Gross Income 

(sec. 306 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 28 

TITLE IV – ADDITIONAL TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS......................................................... 30 

A. Exclusion for Certain Cancellations of Indebtedness for Victims of Hurricane 

Katrina (sec. 401 of the bill) ......................................................................................... 30 

B. Suspension of Certain Limitations on Personal Casualty Losses 

(sec. 402 of the bill) ...................................................................................................... 32 

C. Required Exercise of IRS Administrative Authority (sec. 403 of the bill)................... 33 

D. Special Rules for Mortgage Revenue Bonds (sec. 404 of the bill)............................... 36 

E. Extension of Replacement Period for Nonrecognition of Gain (sec. 405 of the bill)... 38
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F. Special Look-Back Rule for Determining Earned Income Credit and Refundable 

Child Credit (sec. 406 of the bill) ................................................................................. 39 

G. Secretarial Authority to Make Adjustments Regarding Taxpayer and Dependency 

Status for Taxpayers Affected by Hurricane Katrina (sec. 407 of the bill) .................. 41 
 

1 

INTRODUCTION 

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

Technical Explanation of H.R. 3768, the Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act of 2005 as amended 

by the Senate on September 15, 2005. 

This document may be cited as follows: Joint Committee on Taxation, Technical 

Explanation of H.R. 3768, the “The Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act of 2005,”as Amended by 

the Senate on September 15, 2005, (JCX-67-05), September 20, 2005. 
 

2 

TITLE I − PENALTY-FREE USE OF RETIREMENT FUNDS 

IN THE CASE OF HURRICANE KATRINA 

A. Penalty-Free Withdrawals from Retirement Plans for Taxpayers 

Affected by Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 101 of the bill and secs. 72(t), 401(k), 402(c), and 403(b) of the Code) 

Present Law

Under present law, a distribution from a qualified retirement plan, a tax-sheltered annuity 

(a “403(b) annuity”), an eligible deferred compensation plan maintained by a State or local 

government (a “governmental 457 plan”), or an individual retirement arrangement (an “IRA”) 

generally is included in income for the year distributed. In addition, a distribution from a 

qualified retirement plan, a 403(b) annuity, or an IRA received before age 59-1⁄2, death, or 

disability generally is subject to a 10-percent early withdrawal tax on the amount includible in 

income, unless an exception applies. 

An eligible rollover distribution from a qualified retirement plan, a 403(b) annuity, or a 

governmental 457 plan, or a distribution from an IRA, generally can be rolled over within 60 

days to another plan, annuity, or IRA. The IRS has the authority to waive the 60-day 

requirement if failure to waive the requirement would be against equity or good conscience, 

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

individual. Any amount rolled over is not includible in income (and thus also not subject to the 

10-percent early withdrawal tax). 

Distributions from a qualified retirement plan, 403(b) annuity, a governmental 457 plan, 

or an IRA are generally subject to income tax withholding unless the recipient elects otherwise. 

An eligible rollover distribution from a qualified retirement plan, 403(b) annuity, or 

governmental 457 plan is subject to income tax withholding at a 20-percent rate unless the 

distribution is rolled over to another plan, annuity or IRA by means of a direct transfer. 

Certain amounts held in a qualified retirement plan that includes a qualified cash-ordeferred arrangement (a “401(k) plan”) or in a 403(b) annuity may not be distributed before 

severance from employment, age 59-1⁄2, death, disability, or financial hardship of the employee. 

Amounts deferred under a governmental 457 plan may not be distributed before severance from 

employment, age 70-1⁄2, or an unforeseeable emergency of the employee. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision provides an exception to the 10-percent early withdrawal tax in the case of 

a qualified disaster-relief distribution from a qualified retirement plan, a 403(b) annuity or an 

IRA. A qualified disaster-relief distribution is any distribution made: (1) to an individual who 

has sustained a loss as a result of a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of 

the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the “Stafford Act”) and 

who, immediately before the disaster declaration, has a principal place of abode in a qualified 

disaster area; and (2) during the one-year period beginning on the date of the disaster declaration. 

A qualified disaster area is an area: (1) with respect to which a major disaster has been declared 

by the President under section 401 of the Stafford Act before September 14, 2005, in connection 
 

3 

with Hurricane Katrina; and (2) which is determined by the President before such date to warrant 

assistance from the Federal Government under the Stafford Act. (This definition is the same as 

the definition of “Hurricane Katrina disaster area,” which applies for purposes of the other 

provisions of the bill relating to retirement plans.) The total amount of qualified disaster-relief 

distributions that an individual can receive from all plans, annuities, or IRAs with respect to a 

disaster is the $100,000. The $100,000 limit applies to all distributions within the applicable 

one-year period, regardless of whether they are received in different taxable years. Thus, any 

distributions in excess of $100,000 during the applicable one-year period are not qualified 

disaster-relief distributions. 

In addition, under the provision, any portion of a qualified disaster-relief distribution 

from a qualified retirement plan, a 403(b) annuity, a governmental 457 plan, or an IRA may, 

during the three-year period beginning the day after the date of the disaster declaration, be 

recontributed to a plan, annuity or IRA to which a rollover can be made. Any amount withdrawn 

pursuant to the provision is includible in gross income, except to the extent of recontributions, 

which are treated as a rollover. For example, if an individual receives a qualified disaster-relief 

distribution from a qualified retirement plan in 2005, that amount is included in income, but not 

subject to the 10-percent early withdrawal tax. (Under another provision of the bill, the amount 

required to be included in income may be spread over three years.) If the amount of the 

distribution is recontributed in 2007 to a qualified retirement plan, 403(b) annuity, governmental 

457 plan, or IRA, the individual may file an amended return to claim a refund of the tax 

attributable to the amount previously included in income. 

A qualified disaster-relief distribution is a permissible distribution from a 401(k) plan, 

403(b) annuity, or governmental 457 plan, regardless of whether a distribution would otherwise 

be permissible. A plan is not treated as violating any Code requirement merely because it treats 

a distribution as a qualified disaster-relied distribution, provided that the aggregate amount of 

such distributions maintained by the employer and members of the employer’s controlled group 

does not exceed $100,000. Thus, a plan is not treated as violating any Code requirement merely 

because an individual might receive total distributions in excess of $100,000, taking into account 

distributions from plans of other employers or IRAs. 

Under the provision, qualified disaster-relief distributions are subject to the income tax 

withholding rules applicable to distributions other than eligible rollover distributions. Thus, 20-

percent mandatory withholding does not apply. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective for distributions received after August 28, 2005. 
 

4 

B. Income Averaging for Disaster-Relief Distributions 

Related to Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 102 of the bill) 

Present Law

Under present law, a distribution from a qualified retirement plan, a tax-sheltered annuity 

(a “403(b) annuity”), an eligible deferred compensation plan maintained by a State or local 

government (a “governmental 457 plan”), or an individual retirement arrangement (an “IRA”) is 

generally included in income for the year distributed (secs. 402(a), 403(b), 408(d), 457(a)). 

Explanation of Provision

Under the provision, an amount required to be included in income by a qualified 

individual as a result of a qualified disaster-relief distribution from a qualified retirement plan, a 

403(b) annuity, a governmental 457 plan, or an IRA is included in income ratably over the threeyear period beginning with the year of distribution unless the individual elects not to have the 

provision apply. A qualified disaster-relief distribution is defined as under the provision relating 

to penalty-free withdrawals by taxpayers affected by Hurricane Katrina and includes a 

distribution made to a qualified individual during the one-year period beginning on the date of 

the disaster declaration, subject to a limit of $100,000. 

For this purpose, a qualified individual is an individual who has sustained a loss as a 

result of the major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford 

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the “Stafford Act”) in connection with Hurricane 

Katrina and who, immediately before the disaster declaration, has a principal place of abode in a 

Hurricane Katrina disaster area. A Hurricane Katrina disaster area is an area: (1) with respect to 

which a major disaster has been declared by the President under the Stafford Act before 

September 14, 2005, in connection with Hurricane Katrina; and (2) which is determined by the 

President before September 14, 2005, to warrant assistance from the Federal Government under 

the Stafford Act. 

Certain rules apply for purposes of the provision. For example, the amount required to be 

included in income for any taxable year in the three-year period cannot exceed the total amount 

to be included in income with respect to the qualified disaster-relief distribution, reduced by 

amounts included in income for preceding years in the period. 

Under the provision relating to penalty-free withdrawals, an individual who receives a 

qualified disaster-relief distribution may recontribute the amount of the distribution to a qualified 

retirement plan, a 403(b) annuity, a governmental 457 plan, or an IRA, and the recontribution is 

treated as a tax-free rollover. If such a recontribution is made before the full amount of the 

distribution has been included in income under this provision, any remaining amount is reduced 

by the amount of the recontribution. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment.
 

5 

C. Recontributions of Withdrawals for Home Purchases 

Cancelled Due to Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 103 of the bill) 

Present Law

Under present law, a distribution from a qualified retirement plan, a tax-sheltered annuity 

(a “403(b) annuity”), or an individual retirement arrangement (an “IRA”) generally is included in 

income for the year distributed (secs. 402(a), 403(b), and 408(d)). In addition, a distribution 

from a qualified retirement plan, a 403(b) annuity, or an IRA received before age 59-1⁄2, death, or 

disability generally is subject to a 10-percent early withdrawal tax on the amount includible in 

income, unless an exception applies (sec. 72(t)). An exception to the 10-percent tax applies in 

the case of a qualified first-time homebuyer distribution from an IRA, i.e., a distribution (not to 

exceed $10,000) used within 120 days for the purchase or construction of a principal residence of 

a first-time homebuyer. 

An eligible rollover distribution from a qualified retirement plan or a 403(b) annuity or a 

distribution from an IRA generally can be rolled over within 60 days to another plan, annuity, or 

IRA. The IRS has the authority to waive the 60-day requirement if failure to waive the 

requirement would be against equity or good conscience, including cases of casualty, disaster, or 

other events beyond the reasonable control of the individual. Any amount rolled over is not 

includible in income (and thus also not subject to the 10-percent early withdrawal tax). 

Certain amounts held in a qualified retirement plan that includes a qualified cash-ordeferred arrangement (a “401(k) plan”) or a 403(b) annuity may not be distributed before 

severance from employment, age 59-1⁄2, death, disability, or financial hardship of the employee. 

For this purpose, subject to certain conditions, distributions for costs directly related to the 

purchase of a principal residence by an employee (excluding mortgage payments) are deemed to 

be distributions on account of financial hardship. 

Explanation of Provision

In general, under the provision, a distribution received from a 401(k) plan, 403(b) 

annuity, or IRA in order to purchase a home in an area declared a disaster area in connection 

with Hurricane Katrina may be recontributed to such a plan, annuity, or IRA in certain 

circumstances. 

The provision applies to an individual who receives a qualified distribution. A qualified 

distribution is a hardship distribution from a 401(k) plan or 403(b) annuity, or a qualified firsttime homebuyer distribution from an IRA: (1) that is received after February 28, 2005, and 

before August 29, 2005; and (2) that was to be used to purchase or construct a principal 

residence in a Hurricane Katrina disaster area, but which is not used to purchase or construct the 

residence. A Hurricane Katrina disaster area is an area: (1) with respect to which a major 

disaster has been declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 

Relief and Emergency Assistance Act before September 14, 2005, in connection with Hurricane 

Katrina; and (2) which is determined by the President before September 14, 2005, to warrant 

assistance from the Federal Government under the Stafford Act. 
 

6 

Under the provision, any portion of a qualified distribution may, within the six-month 

period beginning the day after the date of the disaster declaration, be recontributed to a plan, 

annuity or IRA to which a rollover is permitted. Any amount recontributed is treated as a 

rollover. Thus, that portion of the qualified distribution is not includible in income (and also is 

not subject to the 10-percent early withdrawal tax). 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment. 
 

7 

D. Loans from Qualified Plans for Victims of Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 104 of the bill) 

Present Law

An individual is permitted to borrow from a qualified plan in which the individual 

participates (and to use his or her accrued benefit as security for the loan) provided the loan bears 

a reasonable rate of interest, is adequately secured, provides a reasonable repayment schedule, 

and is not made available on a basis that discriminates in favor of employees who are officers, 

shareholders, or highly compensated. 

Subject to certain exceptions, a loan from a qualified employer plan to a plan participant 

is treated as a taxable distribution of plan benefits. A qualified employer plan includes a 

qualified retirement plan under section 401(a), a tax-deferred annuity under section 403(a) or 

section 403(b), and any plan that was (or was determined to be) a qualified employer plan or a 

governmental plan. 

An exception to this general rule of income inclusion is provided to the extent that the 

loan (when added to the outstanding balance of all other loans to the participant from all plans 

maintained by the employer) does not exceed the lesser of (1) $50,000 reduced by the excess of 

the highest outstanding balance of loans from such plans during the one-year period ending on 

the day before the date the loan is made over the outstanding balance of loans from the plan on 

the date the loan is made or (2) the greater of $10,000 or one half of the participant’s accrued 

benefit under the plan. This exception applies only if the loan is required, by its terms, to be 

repaid within five years. An extended repayment period is permitted for the purchase of the 

principal residence of the participant. Plan loan repayments (principal and interest) must be 

amortized in level payments and made not less frequently than quarterly, over the term of the 

loan. 

Description of Proposal

The proposal provides special rules that in the case of a loan from a qualified employer 

plan to a qualified individual made after the date of enactment and before the date which is one 

year after the disaster declaration date. A qualified individual is an individual who has sustained 

a loss as a result of the major disaster declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford 

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with Hurricane Katrina and who 

has a principal place of abode immediately before the declaration in a Hurricane Katrina disaster 

area (as previously defined). The disaster declaration date is the date on which the President 

designated the area as a Hurricane Katrina disaster area. 

Under the proposal, the exception to the general rule of income inclusion is provided to 

the extent that the loan (when added to the outstanding balance of all other loans to the 

participant from all plans maintained by the employer) does not exceed the lesser of (1) $100,000 

reduced by the excess of the highest outstanding balance of loans from such plans during the 

one-year period ending on the day before the date the loan is made over the outstanding balance 

of loans from the plan on the date the loan is made or (2) the greater of $10,000 or the 

participant’s accrued benefit under the plan. 
 

8 

Under the proposal, in the case of a qualified individual with an outstanding loan on or 

after August 26, 2005, from a qualified employer plan, if the due date for any repayment with 

respect to such loan occurs during the period beginning after August 29, 2005, and ending before 

August 30, 2006, such due date is delayed for one year. Any subsequent repayments with 

respect to such loan shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the delay in the due date and any 

interest accruing during such delay. The period during which required repayment is delayed is 

disregarded in complying with the requirements that the loan be repaid within five years and that 

level amortization payments be made. 

Effective Date

The proposal is effective on the date of enactment. 
 

9 

E. Provisions Relating to Plan Amendments 

(sec. 105 of the bill) 

Present Law

Present law provides a remedial amendment period during which, under certain 

circumstances, a plan may be amended retroactively in order to comply with the qualification 

requirements (sec. 401(b)). In general, plan amendments to reflect changes in the law generally 

must be made by the time prescribed by law for filing the income tax return of the employer for 

the employer’s taxable year in which the change in law occurs. The Secretary of the Treasury 

may extend the time by which plan amendments need to be made. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision permits certain plan amendments made pursuant to the changes made by 

the provisions of Title I of the bill, or regulations issued thereunder, to be retroactively effective. 

If the plan amendment meets the requirements of the provision, then the plan will be treated as 

being operated in accordance with its terms. In order for this treatment to apply, the plan 

amendment is required to be made on or before the last day of the first plan year beginning on or 

after January 1, 2007, or such later date as provided by the Secretary of the Treasury. 

Governmental plans are given an additional two years in which to make required plan 

amendments. If the amendment is required to be made to retain qualified status as a result of the 

changes made by Title I of the bill (or regulations), the amendment is required to be made 

retroactively effective as of the date on which the change became effective with respect to the 

plan, and the plan is required to be operated in compliance until the amendment is made. 

Amendments that are not required to retain qualified status but that are made pursuant to the 

changes made by Title I of the bill (or regulations) may be made retroactively effective as of the 

first day the plan is operated in accordance with the amendment. A plan amendment will not be 

considered to be pursuant to changes made by Title I of the bill (or regulations) if it has an 

effective date before the effective date of the provision under the bill (or regulations) to which it 

relates. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment. 
 

10 

TITLE II – EMPLOYMENT RELIEF 

A. Work Opportunity Tax Credit for Hurricane Katrina Employee Survivors 

(sec. 201 of the bill) 

Present Law

Targeted groups eligible for the credit

The work opportunity tax credit is available on an elective basis for employers hiring 

individuals from one or more of eight targeted groups. The eight targeted groups are: (1) certain 

families eligible to receive benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 

Program; (2) high-risk youth; (3) qualified ex-felons; (4) vocational rehabilitation referrals; 

(5) qualified summer youth employees; (6) qualified veterans; (7) families receiving food 

stamps; and (8) persons receiving certain Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits. 

A qualified ex-felon is an individual certified as: (1) having been convicted of a felony under 

State or Federal law; (2) being a member of an economically disadvantaged family; and 

(3) having a hiring date within one year of release from prison or conviction. 

Qualified wages

Generally, qualified wages are defined as cash wages paid by the employer to a member 

of a targeted group. The employer’s deduction for wages is reduced by the amount of the credit. 

Calculation of the credit

The credit equals 40 percent (25 percent for employment of 400 hours or less) of 

qualified first-year wages. Generally, qualified first-year wages are qualified wages (not in 

excess of $6,000) attributable to service rendered by a member of a targeted group during the 

one-year period beginning with the day the individual began work for the employer. Therefore, 

the maximum credit per employee is $2,400 (40 percent of the first $6,000 of qualified first-year 

wages). With respect to qualified summer youth employees, the maximum credit is $1,200 (40 

percent of the first $3,000 of qualified first-year wages). 

Minimum employment period

No credit is allowed for qualified wages paid to employees who work less than 120 hours 

in the first year of employment. 

Qualifying rehires

No credit is available for any individual if, prior to the hiring date of such individual, 

such individual had been employed by the employer at any time. 
 

11 

Coordination of the work opportunity tax credit and the welfare-to-work tax credit

An employer cannot claim the work opportunity tax credit with respect to wages of any 

employee for which the employer claims the welfare-to-work tax credit. 

Other rules

The work opportunity tax credit is not allowed for wages paid to a relative or dependent 

of the taxpayer. Similarly, wages paid to replacement workers during a strike or lockout are not 

eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. Wages paid to any employee during any period for 

which the employer received on-the-job training program payments with respect to that 

employee are not eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. In addition, many other technical 

rules apply. 

Expiration date

The work opportunity tax credit is effective for wages paid or incurred to a qualified 

individual who begins work for an employer before January 1, 2006. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision provides that a Hurricane Katrina employee survivor is treated as a 

member of a targeted group for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit. A Hurricane 

Katrina employee survivor is an individual who is certified as an individual who: (1) on 

August 28, 2005, had a principal place of abode in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area; and (2) 

became unemployed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The certification of a Hurricane Katrina 

employee survivor shall be made in such manner and at such time as determined by the Secretary 

of the Treasury, except that the certification shall be made by a person other than such employee 

survivor or the employer. 

The provision shall only apply to wages (within the meaning of section 51(c) of the 

Code) paid or incurred to any individual who: (1) begins work for the employer during the six 

months period beginning on August 29, 2005, or (2) in the case of an individual who is being 

hired for a position, the principal place of employment of which is located in a Hurricane Katrina 

disaster area, during the two-year period beginning on such date. The Hurricane Katrina disaster 

area means the area determined by the President to warrant individual assistance or individual 

and public assistance from the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 

and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Katrina. 

The present-law rule that denies the credit with respect to wages of employees who had 

been previously employed by the employer shall not apply with respect to the first hire of such 

employee survivor, unless such employee survivor was an employee on August 28, 2005. 

The present-law work opportunity tax credit expiration date is waived for purposes of 

Hurricane Katrina survivor employees. 
 

12 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment. 
 

13

B. Employee Retention Credit for Employers Affected by Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 202 of the bill) 

Present Law

There is no employer tax credit for wages paid solely by reason of such wages being paid 

by employers in connection with a disaster area. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision provides a credit of 40% of the qualified wages (up to a maximum of 

$6000 in qualified wages per employee) paid by an eligible employer to an eligible employee. 

 An eligible employer is any employer (1) that conducted an active trade or business on 

August 28, 2005 in a Hurricane Katrina disaster area and (2) with respect to whom the trade or 

business described in (1) is inoperable on any day after August 28, 2005 and before January 1, 

2006, as a result of damage sustained in connection with Hurricane Katrina. 

A Hurricane Katrina disaster area for the purposes of the employee retention credit is an 

area (1) with respect to which a major disaster was declared by the President before September 

14, 2005, under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 

Act in connection with Hurricane Katrina, and (2) which is determined by the President before 

such date to warrant individual assistance, or individual and public assistance, from the Federal 

government under such Act. 

An eligible employee is, with respect to an eligible employer, (1) an employee whose 

principal place of employment on August 28, 2005 with such eligible employer was in a 

Hurricane Katrina disaster area, or (2) a Ready Reserve-National Guard employee of such 

eligible employer who is performing qualified active duty and whose principal place of 

employment immediately before the date on which such employee began performing such 

qualified active duty was in a Hurricane Katrina disaster area. A Ready Reserve-National Guard 

employee means an employee who is a member of the Ready Reserve of a reserve component of 

an Armed Force of the United States as described in sections 10142 and 10101 of title 10, United 

States Code and who is performing qualified active duty. Qualified active duty includes 

hospitalization incident to such duty, but excludes duty related to training requirements for the 

Ready Reserve and required drills and field exercises for the National Guard. 

Qualified wages are wages (as defined in section 51(c)(1) of the Code, but without regard 

to section 3306(b)(2)(B) of the Code) paid or incurred by an eligible employer with respect to an 

eligible employee on any day after August 28, 2005, and before January 1, 2006, during the 

period (1) beginning on the date on which the trade or business first became inoperable at the 

principal place of employment of the employee immediately before Hurricane Katrina, and (2) 

ending on the date on which such trade or business has resumed significant operations at such 

principal place of employment. Qualified wages include wages paid without regard to whether 

the employee performs no services, performs services at a different place of employment than 

such principal place of employment, or performs services at such principal place of employment 

before significant operations have resumed. 
 

14

 The credit is a part of the general business credit. Rules similar to section 280C apply to 

deny a deduction for the amount of the credit. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment. 
 

15 

TITLE III − CHARITABLE GIVING INCENTIVES 

A. Temporary Suspension of Limitations on Charitable Contributions 

(sec. 301 of the bill) 

Present Law

In general

In general, an income tax deduction is permitted for charitable contributions, subject to 

certain limitations that depend on the type of taxpayer, the property contributed, and the donee 

organization (sec. 170). 

Charitable contributions of cash are deductible in the amount contributed. In general, 

contributions of capital gain property to a qualified charity are deductible at fair market value 

with certain exceptions. Capital gain property means any capital asset or property used in the 

taxpayer’s trade or business the sale of which at its fair market value, at the time of contribution, 

would have resulted in gain that would have been long-term capital gain. Contributions of other 

appreciated property generally are deductible at the donor’s basis in the property. Contributions 

of depreciated property generally are deductible at the fair market value of the property. 

Percentage limitations

Contributions by individuals

For individuals, in any taxable year, the amount deductible as a charitable contribution is 

limited to a percentage of the taxpayer’s contribution base. The applicable percentage of the 

contribution base varies depending on the type of donee organization and property contributed. 

The contribution base is defined as the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income computed without 

regard to any net operating loss carryback. 

Contributions by an individual taxpayer of property (other than appreciated capital gain 

property) to a charitable organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A) (e.g., public charities, 

private foundations other than private non-operating foundations, and certain governmental 

units) may not exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer’s contribution base. Contributions of this type 

of property to private foundations and certain other organizations generally may be deducted up 

to 30 percent of the taxpayer’s contribution base. 

Contributions of appreciated capital gain property to charitable organizations described in 

section 170(b)(1)(A) generally are deductible up to 30 percent of the taxpayer’s contribution 

base. An individual may elect, however, to bring all these contributions of appreciated capital 

gain property for a taxable year within the 50-percent limitation category by reducing the amount 

of the contribution deduction by the amount of the appreciation in the capital gain property. 

Contributions of appreciated capital gain property to charitable organizations described in 

section 170(b)(1)(B) (e.g., private non-operating foundations) are deductible up to 20 percent of 

the taxpayer’s contribution base. 
 

16 

Contributions by corporations

For corporations, in any taxable year, charitable contributions are not deductible to the 

extent the aggregate contributions exceed 10 percent of the corporation’s taxable income 

computed without regard to net operating loss or capital loss carrybacks. 

For purposes of determining whether a corporation’s aggregate charitable contributions in 

a taxable year exceed the applicable percentage limitation, contributions of capital gain property 

are taken into account after other charitable contributions. 

Carryforward of excess contributions

Charitable contributions that exceed the applicable percentage limitation may be carried 

forward for up to five years (sec. 170(d)). The amount that may be carried forward from a 

taxable year (“contribution year”) to a succeeding taxable year (“succeeding year”) may not 

exceed the applicable percentage of the contribution base for the succeeding taxable year less the 

sum of contributions made in the succeeding taxable year plus contributions made in taxable 

years prior to the contribution year and treated as paid in the succeeding taxable year under this 

provision. 

Overall limitation on itemized deductions (“Pease” limitation)

Under present law, the total amount of otherwise allowable itemized deductions (other 

than medical expenses, investment interest, and casualty, theft, or wagering losses) is reduced by 

three percent of the amount of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income in excess of a certain 

threshold. The otherwise allowable itemized deductions may not be reduced by more than 80 

percent. For 2005, the adjusted gross income threshold is $145,950 ($72,975 for a married 

taxpayer filing a joint return). These dollar amounts are adjusted for inflation. 

 The otherwise applicable overall limitation on itemized deductions is reduced by onethird in taxable years beginning in 2006 and 2007, and by two-thirds in taxable years beginning 

in 2008 and 2009. The overall limitation is repealed for taxable years beginning after December 

31, 2009, and reinstated for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. 

Explanation of Provision

Increase in percentage limitations

Under the provision, in the case of an individual, the deduction for qualified contributions 

is allowed up to the amount by which the taxpayer’s contribution base exceeds the deduction for 

other charitable contributions. Contributions in excess of this amount is carried forward as 

contributions to which section 170(b)(1)(A) applies under the rules of section 170(d). Similar 

rules allow qualified contributions to offset the entire taxable income of a corporation. 

 Qualified contributions are cash contributions made during the period beginning on 

August 28, 2005, and ending on December 31, 2005 to a charitable organization described in 

section 170(b)(1)(A) (other than a supporting organization described in section 509(a)(3)). In the 
 

17 

case of a corporation, qualified contributions must be for relief efforts related to Hurricane 

Katrina. A taxpayer must elect to have the contributions treated as qualified contributions. 

Except as provided above, subsections (b) and (d) of section 170 are applied by not 

taking into account qualified contributions. 

Below are examples illustrating the operation of this provision. (The examples assume 

the taxpayer makes an election to have this provision apply.) 

Example 1.−Assume individual A’s contribution base for 2005 is $100,000; aggregate 

qualified contributions are $70,000; and other charitable contributions to which section 

170(b)(1)(A) applies are $60,000. Under the provision, A is allowed a deduction of $100,000 

for 2005 ($50,000 determined without regard to qualified contributions plus $50,000 for the 

qualified contributions). $30,000 is treated as a contribution described in section 170(b)(1)(A) 

paid in each of the five succeeding taxable years (subject to the limitations of section 

170(d)(1)(A)(i) and (ii)). $30,000 is the sum of the $10,000 excess referred to in section 

170(d)(1)(A) (the excess of $60,000 over $50,000) and the $20,000 excess referred to in 

paragraph (b)(1)(B) of this provision (the excess of $70,000 over $50,000). 

Example 2.–For calendar year 2005, B, an individual, has a contribution base of 

$100,000. On January 10, 2005, B makes a $7,000 cash contribution to an organization 

described in section 170(b)(1)(A) and a $65,000 cash contribution to an organization not so 

described. On October 10, 2005, B makes a $70,000 qualified contribution. In 2004, B made 

cash charitable contributions to organizations described in section 170(b)(1)(A) that exceeded 

50% of the contribution base by $5,000. 

First, subsections (b) and (d) of section 170 are applied by disregarding the qualified 

contribution. For 2005, a $12,000 deduction is allowed under section 170(b)(1)(A)–the $7,000 

current year contribution and the $5,000 carryover from 2004. For 2005, a $30,000 deduction 

for the contribution to the organization not described in section 170(b)(1)(A) also is allowed. 

This amount is the lesser of (i) $38,000 ($50,000 (50% of B’s contribution base) less the $12,000 

allowed under section 170(b)(1)(A)) or (ii) $30,000 (30 percent of B’s contribution base). The 

remaining contribution amount of $35,000 is carried over as a contribution to an organization 

which is not described in section 170(b)(1)(A). Thus, without regard to the qualified 

contribution, B is allowed a total contribution deduction of $42,000 in 2005. 

In addition, B may deduct $58,000 of the qualified contribution in 2005 (the lesser of (i) 

the $70,000 amount of the qualified contribution or (ii) the $58,000 excess of B’s $100,000 

contribution base over the $42,000 amount otherwise deductible). $12,000 is treated as a 

contribution described in section 170(b)(1)(A) paid in each of the five succeeding taxable years 

(subject to the limitations of section 170(d)(1)(A)(i) and (ii)). 

In summary, B’s deduction for 2005 is $100,000; $12,000 may be carried over as a 

contribution to an organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A) (subject to the limitations of 

section 170(d)(1)(A)(i) and (ii)); and $35,000 may be carried over as a contribution to an 

organization not so described (subject to similar limitations). 
 

18 

Example 3.–Assume corporation X’s taxable income (as defined in section 170(b)(2)) for 

2005 is $100,000; aggregate qualified contributions (which, in the case of a corporation, must be 

related to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts) are $100,000; and other charitable contributions are 

$20,000. Under the provision, X is allowed a deduction of $100,000 for 2005 ($10,000 

determined without regard to qualified contributions plus $90,000 for the qualified 

contributions). $20,000 is deductible in each of the five succeeding taxable years (subject to the 

limitations of section 170(d)(2)(A)(i) and (ii)). $20,000 is the sum of the $10,000 excess referred 

to in section 170(d)(2)(A) (the excess of $20,000 over $10,000) and the $10,000 excess referred 

to in paragraph (b)(2)(B) of this provision (the excess of $100,000 over $90,000). 

The provision requires that qualified contributions by a corporation be made for relief 

efforts related to Hurricane Katrina. Corporate taxpayers must substantiate that the contribution 

is made for such purpose. 

Limitation on overall itemized deductions

Under the provision, the deduction for qualified contributions (as defined above) is not 

treated as an itemized deduction for purposes of the overall limitation on itemized deductions. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment. 
 

19 

B. Charitable Deduction for Contributions of Food Inventories 

(sec. 302 of the bill) 

Present Law

Under present law, a taxpayer’s deduction for charitable contributions of inventory 

generally is limited to the taxpayer’s basis (typically, cost) in the inventory. 

However, for certain contributions of inventory, C corporations may claim an enhanced 

deduction equal to the lesser of (1) basis plus one-half of the item’s appreciated value (i.e., basis 

plus one half of fair market value in excess of basis) or (2) two times basis.1 To be eligible for 

the enhanced deduction, the contributed property generally must be inventory of the taxpayer, 

contributed to a charitable organization described in section 501(c)(3) (except for private 

nonoperating foundations), and the donee must (1) use the property consistent with the donee’s 

exempt purpose solely for the care of the ill, the needy, or infants, (2) not transfer the property in 

exchange for money, other property, or services, and (3) provide the taxpayer a written statement 

that the donee’s use of the property will be consistent with such requirements. In the case of 

contributed property subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the property must 

satisfy the applicable requirements of such Act on the date of transfer and for 180 days prior to 

the transfer. 

To use the enhanced deduction, the taxpayer must establish that the fair market value of 

the donated item exceeds basis. The valuation of food inventory has been the subject of ongoing 

disputes between taxpayers and the IRS. In one case, the Tax Court held that the value of 

surplus bread inventory donated to charity was the full retail price of the bread rather than half 

the retail price, as the IRS asserted.2

Explanation of Provision

Under the provision, any taxpayer, whether or not a C corporation, engaged in a trade or 

business is eligible to claim the enhanced deduction for donations of food inventory. For 

taxpayers other than C corporations, the total deduction for donations of food inventory in a 

taxable year generally may not exceed 10 percent of the taxpayer’s net income for such taxable 

year from all sole proprietorships, S corporations, or partnerships from which contributions of 

apparently wholesome food are made. For example, if a taxpayer is a sole proprietor, a 

shareholder in an S corporation, and a partner in a partnership, and each business makes 

charitable contributions of food inventory, the taxpayer’s deduction for donations of food 

inventory is limited to 10 percent of the taxpayer’s net income from the sole proprietorship and 

the taxpayer’s interests in the S corporation and partnership. However, if only the sole 

proprietorship and the S corporation made charitable contributions of food inventory, the 

 1

 Sec. 170(e)(3). In general, a C corporation’s charitable contribution deductions for a year may 

not exceed 10 percent of the corporation’s taxable income. Sec. 170(b)(2). 

2

 Lucky Stores Inc. v. Commissioner, 105 T.C. 420 (1995). 
 

20 

taxpayer’s deduction would be limited to 10 percent of the net income from the trade or business 

of the sole proprietorship and the S corporation, but not the partnership. 

The 10 percent limitation does not affect the application of the generally applicable 

percentage limitations. For example, if 10 percent of a sole proprietor’s net income from the 

proprietor’s trade or business was greater than 50 percent of the proprietor’s contribution base, 

the available deduction for the taxable year (with respect to contributions to public charities) 

would be 50 percent of the proprietor’s contribution base. Consistent with present law, such 

contributions may be carried forward because they exceed the 50 percent limitation. 

Contributions of food inventory by a taxpayer that is not a C corporation that exceed the 10 

percent limitation but not the 50 percent limitation could not be carried forward. 

For purposes of calculating the enhanced deduction, taxpayers who do not account for 

inventories under section 471 and who are not required to capitalize indirect costs under section 

263A are able to elect to treat the basis of the contributed food as being equal to 25 percent of the 

food’s fair market value.3

 

The provision changes the amount of the present-law enhanced deduction for eligible 

contributions of food inventory to the lesser of fair market value or twice the taxpayer’s basis in 

the inventory. For example, a taxpayer who makes an eligible donation of food that has a fair 

market value of $10 and a basis of $4 could take a deduction of $8 (twice basis). If the 

taxpayer’s basis was $6 instead of $4, then the deduction would be $10 (fair market value). By 

contrast, under present law, a C corporation’s deduction in the first example would be $7 (fair 

market value less half the appreciation) and in the second example would be $8. (Under present 

law, taxpayers other than C corporations generally could take a deduction for a contribution of 

food inventory only for the $4 basis in either example.) Taxpayers that do not account for 

inventories under section 471 and who are not required to capitalize indirect costs under section 

263A would be able to elect to treat the basis of the contributed food as being equal to 25 percent 

of the food’s fair market value. 

Under the provision, the enhanced deduction is available only for food that qualifies as 

“apparently wholesome food.” “Apparently wholesome food” is defined as food intended for 

human consumption that meets all quality and labeling standards imposed by Federal, State, and 

local laws and regulations even though the food may not be readily marketable due to 

appearance, age, freshness, grade, size, surplus, or other conditions. 

In addition, the provision provides that the fair market value of donated apparently 

wholesome food that cannot or will not be sold solely due to internal standards of the taxpayer or 

lack of market is determined without regard to such internal standards or lack of market and by 

taking into account the price at which the same or substantially the same food items (as to both 

type and quality) are sold by the taxpayer at the time of the contribution or, if not so sold at such 

time, in the recent past. 

 3

 This includes, for example, taxpayers who are eligible for administrative relief under Revenue 

Procedures 2002-28 and 2001-10. 
 

21 

Effective Date

The provision is effective for contributions made after August 28, 2005, and before 

January 1, 2006. 
 

22 

C. Charitable Deduction for Contributions of Book Inventories 

(sec. 303 of the bill) 

Present Law

Under present law, a taxpayer’s deduction for charitable contributions of inventory 

generally is limited to the taxpayer’s basis (typically, cost) in the inventory. 

However, for certain contributions of inventory, C corporations may claim an enhanced 

deduction equal to the lesser of (1) basis plus one-half of the item’s appreciated value (i.e., basis 

plus one half of fair market value in excess of basis) or (2) two times basis.4 To be eligible for 

the enhanced deduction, the contributed property generally must be inventory of the taxpayer, 

contributed to a charitable organization described in section 501(c)(3) (except for private 

nonoperating foundations), and the donee must: (1) use the property consistent with the donee’s 

exempt purpose solely for the care of the ill, the needy, or infants, (2) not transfer the property in 

exchange for money, other property, or services, and (3) provide the taxpayer a written statement 

that the donee’s use of the property will be consistent with such requirements. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision modifies the present-law enhanced deduction for C corporations so that it 

is equal to the lesser of fair market value or twice the taxpayer’s basis in the case of qualified 

book contributions. The provision provides that the fair market value for this purpose is 

determined by reference to a bona fide published market price for the book. Under the provision, 

a bona fide published market price of a book means a price: (1) determined using the same 

printing and edition; (2) determined in the usual market in which such a book has been 

customarily sold by the taxpayer; and (3) for which the taxpayer can demonstrate to the 

satisfaction of the Secretary that the taxpayer customarily sold such books in arm's length 

transactions within seven years preceding the contribution. For example, a publisher’s listed 

retail price for a book would not meet the standard if the publisher could not demonstrate to the 

satisfaction of the Secretary that the price was one at which the publisher customarily sold the 

book in its usual market in arm’s length transactions occurring within the seven-year period prior 

to the contribution. If a publisher entered into a contract with a local school district to sell newly 

published textbooks six years prior to making a qualified book contribution of such textbooks, 

the publisher could use as a bona fide published market price, the price at which such books 

regularly were sold to the school district under the contract. By contrast, if a publisher listed in a 

catalogue or elsewhere a “suggested retail price,” but the publisher did not in fact customarily 

sell the books at such price, the publisher could not use the “suggested retail price” to determine 

the fair market value of the book for purposes of the enhanced deduction. Thus, in general, a 

bona fide published market price must be independently verifiable by reference to actual sales 

within the seven-year period preceding the contribution, and not to a publisher’s own price list. 

 4

 Sec. 170(e)(3). 
 

23 

As an illustration of the mechanics of calculating the enhanced deduction under the 

provision, a C corporation that made a qualified book contribution with a bona fide published 

market price of $10 and a basis of $4 could take a deduction of $8 (twice basis). If the 

taxpayer’s basis is $6 instead of $4, then the deduction is $10. Also, in such latter case, if the 

book’s bona fide market published market price was $5 at the time of the contribution but was 

$10 five years before the contribution, then the deduction is $10. 

A qualified book contribution means a charitable contribution of books to: (1) an 

educational organization that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally 

has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its 

educational activities are regularly carried on; (2) a public library; or (3) an organization 

described in section 501(c)(3) (except for private nonoperating foundations), that is organized 

primarily to make books available to the general public at no cost or to operate a literacy 

program. The donee must: (1) use the property consistent with the donee’s exempt purpose; (2) 

not transfer the property in exchange for money, other property, or services; and (3) provide the 

taxpayer a written statement that the donee’s use of the property will be consistent with such 

requirements and also that the books are suitable, in terms of currency, content, and quantity, for 

use in the donee’s educational programs and that the donee will use the books in such 

educational programs. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective for contributions made after August 28, 2005 and before 

January 1, 2006. 
 

24 

D. Additional Exemption for Housing Hurricane Katrina Displaced Individuals 

(sec. 304 of the bill) 

Present Law

In order to determine taxable income, an individual reduces adjusted gross income 

(“AGI”) by any personal exemptions and either the standard deduction or itemized deductions. 

Personal exemptions generally are allowed for the taxpayer, his or her spouse if filing jointly, 

and any dependents (as defined in sec. 151). Personal exemptions are not allowed for purposes 

of determining a taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income. 

For 2005, the amount deductible for each personal exemption is $3,200. This amount is 

indexed annually for inflation. The deduction for personal exemptions is phased out ratably for 

taxpayers with AGI over certain thresholds. These thresholds are indexed annually for inflation. 

Specifically, the total amount of exemptions that may be claimed by a taxpayer is reduced by 

two percent for each $2,500 (or portion thereof) by which the taxpayer's AGI exceeds the 

applicable threshold. (The phaseout rate is two percent for each $1,250 for married taxpayers 

filing separate returns.) Thus, the personal exemptions claimed are phased out over a $122,500 

range (which is not indexed for inflation), beginning at the applicable threshold. The applicable 

thresholds for 2005 are $145,900 for single individuals, $218,950 for married individuals filing a 

joint return, $182,450 for heads of households, and $109,475 for married individuals filing 

separate returns. For 2005, the point at which a taxpayer's personal exemptions are completely 

phased out is $268,450 for single individuals, $341,450 for married individuals filing a joint 

return, $304,950 for heads of households, and $170,725 for married individuals filing separate 

returns. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision provides an additional exemption of $500 for each Hurricane Katrina 

displaced individual of the taxpayer. The taxpayer may claim the additional exemption for no 

more than four individuals. Thus, the maximum additional exemption amount is $2,000. The 

exemption with respect to any Hurricane Katrina displaced individual may only be claimed one 

time for all taxable years. 

A Hurricane Katrina displaced individual is an individual who (1) was (as of August 28, 

2005) a resident of any Hurricane Katrina disaster area, (2) is displaced from their residence 

located in the area described in (1), and (3) is provided housing free of charge by the taxpayer in 

the principal residence of the taxpayer for a period of 60 consecutive days which ends in the 

taxable year. A Hurricane Katrina displaced individual may not be the spouse or any dependent 

of the taxpayer. 

A Hurricane Katrina disaster area for the purposes of the additional exemption is an area 

(1) with respect to which a major disaster was declared by the President before September 14, 

2005, under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 

in connection with Hurricane Katrina, and (2) which is determined by the President before such 

date to warrant assistance from the Federal government under such Act. 
 

25 

 The additional exemption is not subject to the income-based phaseouts applicable to 

other personal exemptions, and is allowed as a deduction in computing alternative minimum 

taxable income. 

Effective Date

The provision applies to taxable years beginning in 2005 and 2006. 
 

26 

E. Increase in Standard Mileage Rate for Charitable Use of Certain Vehicles 

(sec. 305 of the bill) 

Present Law

In general, an itemized deduction is permitted for charitable contributions, subject to 

certain limitations that depend on the type of taxpayer, the property contributed, and the donee 

organization. Unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenditures made incident to providing donated 

services to a qualified charitable organization − such as out-of-pocket transportation expenses 

necessarily incurred in performing donated services − may qualify as a charitable contribution 

(Treasury Regulation sec. 1.170A-1(g)). No charitable contribution deduction is allowed for 

traveling expenses (including expenses for meals and lodging) while away from home, whether 

paid directly or by reimbursement, unless there is no significant element of personal pleasure, 

recreation, or vacation in such travel (sec. 170(j)). 

In determining the amount treated as a charitable contribution where a taxpayer operates 

a vehicle in providing donated services to a charity, the taxpayer either may deduct actual out-ofpocket expenditures or, in the case of a passenger automobile, may use the charitable standard 

mileage rate. The charitable standard mileage rate is set by statute at 14 cents per mile (sec. 

170(i)). The taxpayer may also deduct (under either computation method), any parking fees and 

tolls incurred in rendering the services, but may not deduct any amount (regardless of the 

computation method used) for general repair or maintenance expenses, depreciation, insurance, 

registration fees, etc. Regardless of the computation method used, the taxpayer must keep 

reliable written records of expenses incurred. For example, where a taxpayer uses the charitable 

standard mileage rate to determine a deduction, the IRS has stated that the taxpayer generally 

must maintain records of miles driven, time, place (or use), and purpose of the mileage. If the 

charitable standard mileage rate is not used to determine the deduction, the taxpayer generally 

must maintain reliable written records of actual expenses incurred. 

In lieu of actual operating expenses, an optional standard mileage rate may be used in 

computing the deductible costs of business use of an automobile. The business standard mileage 

rate is determined by the IRS and updated periodically. For expenses incurred on or after 

January 1, 2005, and before September 1, 2005, the business standard mileage rate specified by 

the IRS is 40.5 cents per mile. For expenses incurred on or after September 1, 2005, and before 

January 1, 2006, the business standard mileage rate specified by the IRS is 48.5 cents per mile 

(IRS Announcement 2005-99 (September 9, 2005)). 

The standard mileage rate for charitable purposes is lower that the standard business rate 

because the charitable rate covers only the out-of-pocket operating expenses (including gasoline 

and oil) directly related to the use of the automobile in performing the donated services that a 

taxpayer may deduct as a charitable contribution. The charitable rate does not include costs that 

are not deductible as a charitable contribution such as general repair or maintenance expenses, 

depreciation, insurance, and registration fees. Such costs are, however, included in computing 

the business standard mileage rate. 
 

27 

Explanation of Provision

The provision allows a taxpayer who uses a vehicle in providing donated services to 

charity solely for the provision of relief related to Hurricane Katrina to compute the taxpayer's 

charitable mileage deduction using a rate (rounded to the next highest cent) equal to 70 percent 

of the business mileage rate in effect on the date of the contribution, rather than the charitable 

standard mileage rate generally in effect under section 170(i) (currently 14 cents per mile). For 

purposes of this provision, the term vehicle includes any vehicle described in section 

170(f)(12)(E)(i) (i.e., a motor vehicle manufactured primarily for use on the public streets, roads, 

and highways). As an alternative to determining the amount of the deduction using the mileage 

rate described in the provision, a taxpayer may determine the amount of the deduction using 

actual out-of-pocket expenditures. 

It is intended that in addition to the present law substantiation requirements for use of the 

statutory mileage rate, a taxpayer must substantiate that expenses are incurred in providing relief 

related to Hurricane Katrina. For example, a taxpayer who uses the statutory mileage rate 

generally must keep, at a minimum, reliable written records regarding the number of miles 

driven, the dates on which he incurred the mileage, the name of the charitable organization for 

which services were provided, the locations in which he provided services to the charitable 

organization, and the charitable purposes of the services, which purposes must relate to 

providing relief related to Hurricane Katrina. The present-law statutory rate applies if a taxpayer 

fails to substantiate that the expenses are incurred for the provision of relief related to Hurricane 

Katrina, assuming all other present-law requirements are met. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective for contributions made on or after August 29, 2005, and before 

January 1, 2007. 
 

28 

F. Mileage Reimbursements to Charitable Volunteers 

Excluded from Gross Income 

(sec. 306 of the bill) 

Present Law

 In general, an itemized deduction is permitted for charitable contributions, subject to 

certain limitations that depend on the type of taxpayer, the property contributed, and the donee 

organization. Unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenditures made incident to providing donated 

services to a qualified charitable organization − such as out-of-pocket transportation expenses 

necessarily incurred in performing donated services − may qualify as a charitable contribution 

(Treasury Regulation sec. 1.170A-1(g)). No charitable contribution deduction is allowed for 

traveling expenses (including expenses for meals and lodging) while away from home, whether 

paid directly or by reimbursement, unless there is no significant element of personal pleasure, 

recreation, or vacation in such travel (sec. 170(j)). 

In determining the amount treated as a charitable contribution where a taxpayer operates 

a vehicle in providing donated services to a charity, the taxpayer either may deduct actual out-ofpocket expenditures or, in the case of a passenger automobile, may use the charitable standard 

mileage rate. The charitable standard mileage rate is set by statute at 14 cents per mile (sec. 

170(i)). The taxpayer may also deduct (under either computation method), any parking fees and 

tolls incurred in rendering the services, but may not deduct any amount (regardless of the 

computation method used) for general repair or maintenance expenses, depreciation, insurance, 

registration fees, etc. Regardless of the computation method used, the taxpayer must keep 

reliable written records of expenses incurred. For example, where a taxpayer uses the charitable 

standard mileage rate to determine a deduction, the IRS has stated that the taxpayer generally 

must maintain records of miles driven, time, place (or use), and purpose of the mileage. If the 

charitable standard mileage rate is not used to determine the deduction, the taxpayer generally 

must maintain reliable written records of actual expenses incurred. 

In lieu of actual operating expenses, an optional standard mileage rate may be used in 

computing the deductible costs of business use of an automobile. The business standard mileage 

rate is determined by the IRS and updated periodically. For expenses incurred on or after 

January 1, 2005, and before September 1, 2005, the business standard mileage rate specified by 

the IRS is 40.5 cents per mile. For expenses incurred on or after September 1, 2005, and before 

January 1, 2006, the business standard mileage rate specified by the IRS is 48.5 cents per mile 

(IRS Announcement 2005-99 (September 9, 2005)). 

The standard mileage rate for charitable purposes is lower that the standard business rate 

because the charitable rate covers only the out-of-pocket operating expenses (including gasoline 

and oil) directly related to the use of the automobile in performing the donated services that a 

taxpayer may deduct as a charitable contribution. The charitable rate does not include costs that 

are not deductible as a charitable contribution such as general repair or maintenance expenses, 

depreciation, insurance, and registration fees. Such costs are, however, included in computing 

the business standard mileage rate. 
 

29 

Volunteer drivers who are reimbursed for mileage expenses have taxable income to the 

extent the reimbursement exceeds deductible travel expenses. Employees who are reimbursed 

for mileage expenses under a qualified arrangement that pays a mileage allowance in lieu of 

reimbursing actual expenses generally have taxable income to the extent the reimbursement 

exceeds the amount of the business standard mileage rate multiplied by the actual business miles. 

Explanation of Provision

Under the provision, reimbursement by an organization described in section 170(c) 

(including public charities and private foundations) to a volunteer for the costs of using a 

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

income of the volunteer, provided that (1) the reimbursement does not exceed the business 

standard mileage rate prescribed for business use (as periodically adjusted), and (2) 

recordkeeping requirements applicable to deductible business expenses are satisfied. The 

provision does not permit a volunteer to claim a deduction or credit with respect to amounts 

excluded under the provision. Information reporting required by section 6041 is not required 

with respect to reimbursements excluded under the provision. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective for use of a passenger automobile after the date of enactment, 

in taxable years ending after the date of enactment. The provision does not apply to use of a 

passenger automobile after December 31, 2006. 
 

30 

TITLE IV – ADDITIONAL TAX RELIEF PROVISIONS 

A. Exclusion for Certain Cancellations of Indebtedness 

for Victims of Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 401 of the bill) 

Present Law

Gross income includes income that is realized by a debtor from the discharge of 

indebtedness, subject to certain exceptions for debtors in Title 11 bankruptcy cases, insolvent 

debtors, certain farm indebtedness, and certain real property business indebtedness (secs. 

61(a)(12) and 108). In cases involving discharges of indebtedness that are excluded from gross 

income (except for discharges of real property business indebtedness), taxpayers generally 

exclude discharge of indebtedness from income but reduce tax attributes by the amount of the 

discharge of indebtedness. The amount of discharge of indebtedness excluded from income by 

an insolvent debtor not in a Title 11 bankruptcy case cannot exceed the amount by which the 

debtor is insolvent. For all taxpayers, the amount of discharge of indebtedness generally is equal 

to the difference between the adjusted issue price of the debt being cancelled and the amount 

used to satisfy the debt. These rules generally apply to the exchange of an old obligation for a 

new obligation, including a modification of indebtedness that is treated as an exchange (a debtfor-debt exchange). 

Present law generally requires “applicable entities” to file information returns with the 

IRS regarding any discharge of indebtedness in the amount of $600 or more (section 6050P). 

This requirement applies without regard to whether the debtor is subject to tax on the discharged 

indebtedness. The term “applicable entities” includes: (1) any financial institution (as described 

in section 581 (relating to banks) or section 591(a) (relating to savings institutions)); (2) any 

credit union; (3) any corporation that is a direct or indirect subsidiary of an entity described in 

(1) or (2) which, by virtue of being affiliated with such entity, is subject to supervision and 

examination by a Federal or State agency regulating such entities; (4) the Federal Deposit 

Insurance Corporation, the Resolution Trust Corporation, the National Credit Union 

Administration, certain other Federal executive agencies, and any successor or subunit of any of 

them; (5) an executive, judicial, or legislative agency (as defined in 31 U.S.C. section 

3701(a)(4)); and (6) any other organization a significant trade or business of which is the lending 

of money. Failures to file correct information returns with the IRS or to furnish statements to 

taxpayers with respect to these discharges of indebtedness are subject to the same general penalty 

that is imposed with respect to failures to provide other types of information returns. 

Accordingly, the penalty for failure to furnish statements to taxpayers generally is $50 per 

failure, subject to a maximum of $100,000 for any calendar year. These penalties are not 

applicable if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision provides that gross income of an individual does not include any amount 

which would otherwise be includible in gross income by reason of a discharge (in whole or in 

part) of nonbusiness debt if the indebtedness is discharged by an applicable entity. For these 

purposes, nonbusiness debt is any indebtedness other than indebtedness incurred in connection 
 

31 

with a trade or business. The provision applies to the discharge of indebtedness of any natural 

person if the discharge is by reason of damage sustained by the taxpayer in connection with 

Hurricane Katrina. An applicable entity is an executive, judicial, or legislative agency (as 

defined in section 3701(a)(4) of title 31 of the U.S. Code) and an applicable financial entity (as 

defined 6050P(b)(2) of the Code). Similar to the present-law rules, the amount excluded from 

gross income under this provision reduces the tax attributes of the taxpayer. 

Effective Date

The provision applies to discharges made on or after August 29, 2005 and before January 

1, 2007. 
 

32

B. Suspension of Certain Limitations on Personal Casualty Losses 

(sec. 402 of the bill) 

Present Law

Under present law, a taxpayer may generally claim a deduction for any loss sustained 

during the taxable year and not compensated by insurance or otherwise (sec. 165). For 

individual taxpayers, deductible losses must be incurred in a trade or business or other profitseeking activity or consist of property losses arising from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other 

casualty, or from theft. Personal casualty or theft losses are deductible only if they exceed $100 

per casualty or theft. In addition, aggregate net casualty and theft losses are deductible only to 

the extent they exceed 10 percent of an individual taxpayer's adjusted gross income. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision permits individual taxpayers to claim casualty or theft losses attributable to 

Hurricane Katrina regardless of whether the loss exceeds $100. In addition, personal casualty or 

theft losses attributable to Hurricane Katrina are deductible without regard to whether the loss 

exceeds 10 percent of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. For purposes of applying the 10 

percent threshold to other personal casualty or theft losses, losses attributable to Hurricane 

Katrina are disregarded. The provision has the effect of treating personal casualty or theft losses 

from Hurricane Katrina as a deduction separate from all other casualty losses. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective on the date of enactment.
 

33 

C. Required Exercise of IRS Administrative Authority 

(sec. 403 of the bill) 

Present

General time limits for filing tax returns

Individuals generally must file their Federal income tax returns by April 15 of the year 

following the close of a taxable year. The Secretary may grant reasonable extensions of time for 

filing such returns. Treasury regulations provide an additional automatic two-month extension 

(until June 15 for calendar-year individuals) for United States citizens and residents in military or 

naval service on duty on April 15 of the following year (the otherwise applicable due date of the 

return) outside the United States. No action is necessary to apply for this extension, but 

taxpayers must indicate on their returns (when filed) that they are claiming this extension. 

Unlike most extensions of time to file, this extension applies to both filing returns and paying the 

tax due. 

Treasury regulations also provide, upon application on the proper form, an automatic 

four-month extension (until August 15 for calendar-year individuals) for any individual timely 

filing that form and paying the amount of tax estimated to be due. 

In general, individuals must make quarterly estimated tax payments by April 15, June 15, 

September 15, and January 15 of the following taxable year. Wage withholding is considered to 

be a payment of estimated taxes 

Suspension of time periods

In general, the period of time for performing various acts under the Code, such as filing 

tax returns, paying taxes, or filing a claim for credit or refund of tax, is suspended for any 

individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States in an area designated as a “combat 

zone” or when deployed outside the United States away from the individual’s permanent duty 

station while participating in an operation designated by the Secretary of Defense as a 

“contingency operation” or that becomes a contingency operation. The suspension of time also 

applies to an individual serving in support of such Armed Forces in the combat zone or 

contingency operation, such as Red Cross personnel, accredited correspondents, and civilian 

personnel acting under the direction of the Armed Forces in support of those Forces. The 

designation of a combat zone must be made by the President in an Executive Order. A 

contingency operation is defined as a military operation that is designated by the Secretary of 

Defense as an operation in which members of the Armed Forces are or may become involved in 

military actions, operations, or hostilities against an enemy of the United States or against an 

opposing military force, or results in the call or order to (or retention of) active duty of members 

of the uniformed services during a war or a national emergency declared by the President or 

Congress. 

The suspension of time encompasses the period of service in the combat zone during the 

period of combatant activities in the zone or while participating in a contingency operation, as 

well as (1) any time of continuous qualified hospitalization resulting from injury received in the 
 

34 

combat zone or contingency operation or (2) time in missing in action status, plus the next 180 

days. 

The suspension of time applies to the following acts: 

1. Filing any return of income, estate, or gift tax (except employment and withholding 

taxes); 

2. Payment of any income, estate, or gift tax (except employment and withholding 

taxes); 

3. Filing a petition with the Tax Court for redetermination of a deficiency, or for review 

of a decision rendered by the Tax Court; 

4. Allowance of a credit or refund of any tax; 

5. Filing a claim for credit or refund of any tax; 

6. Bringing suit upon any such claim for credit or refund; 

7. Assessment of any tax; 

8. Giving or making any notice or demand for the payment of any tax, or with respect to 

any liability to the United States in respect of any tax; 

9. Collection of the amount of any liability in respect of any tax; 

10. Bringing suit by the United States in respect of any liability in respect of any tax; and 

11. Any other act required or permitted under the internal revenue laws specified by the 

Secretary of the Treasury. 

In the case of a Presidentially declared disaster or a terroristic or military action, the 

Secretary of the Treasury also has authority to prescribe a period of up to one year that may be 

disregarded for performing any of the acts listed above. The Secretary also may suspend the 

accrual of any interest, penalty, additional amount, or addition to tax for taxpayers in the affected 

areas. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision clarifies the scope of the Secretary’s authority to suspend the time period 

for certain acts. The provision adds employment and excise taxes to those items for which the 

Secretary may suspend filing and payment requirements for taxpayers serving in combat zones 

or contingency operations, as well as taxpayers affected by Presidentially declared disasters or 

terroristic or military actions. 

In the case of taxpayers determined to be affected by the Presidentially declared disaster 

relating to Hurricane Katrina, any administrative relief from required acts, such as filing tax 

returns, paying taxes, or filing a claim for credit or refund of tax, shall be for a period ending not 
 

35 

earlier than February 28, 2006. The provision also clarifies that any administrative relief 

provided to taxpayers affected by Hurricane Katrina prior to the date of enactment shall be 

treated as applying to the filing of returns relating to, and the payment of, employment and 

excise taxes. 

Effective Date

The provision extending IRS administrative relief relating to Hurricane Katrina until at 

least February 28, 2006, is effective on the date of enactment. The amendments adding 

employment and excise taxes to those items for which the Secretary may suspend filing and 

payment requirements are effective for any period for performing an act which has not expired 

before August 29, 2005. 
 

36 

D. Special Rules for Mortgage Revenue Bonds 

(sec. 404 of the bill) 

Present Law

In general

Under present law, gross income does not include interest on State or local bonds (sec. 

103). State and local bonds are classified generally as either governmental bonds or private 

activity bonds. Governmental bonds are bonds which are primarily used to finance 

governmental functions or are repaid with governmental funds. Private activity bonds are bonds 

with respect to which the State or local government serves as a conduit providing financing to 

nongovernmental persons (e.g., private businesses or individuals). The exclusion from income 

for State and local bonds does not apply to private activity bonds, unless the bonds are issued for 

certain permitted purposes (“qualified private activity bonds”) (secs. 103(b)(1) and 141). 

Qualified mortgage bonds

The definition of a qualified private activity bond includes a qualified mortgage bond 

(sec. 143). Qualified mortgage bonds are issued to make mortgage loans to qualified mortgagors 

for the purchase, improvement, or rehabilitation of owner-occupied residences. The Code 

imposes several limitations on qualified mortgage bonds, including income limitations for 

eligible mortgagors, purchase price limitations on the home financed with bond proceeds, and a 

“first-time homebuyer” requirement. The income limitations are satisfied if all financing 

provided by an issue is provided for mortgagors whose family income does not exceed 115 

percent of the median family income for the metropolitan area or State, whichever is greater, in 

which the financed residences are located. The purchase price limitations provide that a 

residence financed with qualified mortgage bonds may not have a purchase price in excess of 90 

percent of the average area purchase price for that residence. The first-time homebuyer 

requirement provides qualified mortgage bonds generally cannot be used to finance a mortgage 

for a homebuyer who had an ownership interest in a principal residence in the three years 

preceding the execution of the mortgage. 

Special income and purchase price limitations apply to targeted area residences. A 

targeted area residence is one located in either (1) a census tract in which at least 70 percent of 

the families have an income which is 80 percent or less of the state-wide median income or (2) 

an area of chronic economic distress. For targeted area residences, the income limitation is 

satisfied when no more than one-third of the mortgages are made without regard to any income 

limits and the remainder of the mortgages are made to mortgagors whose family income is 140 

percent or less of the applicable median family income. The purchase price limitation is raised 

from 90 percent to 110 percent of the average area purchase price for targeted area residences. 

In addition, the first-time homebuyer requirement does not apply to targeted area residences. 

Qualified mortgage bonds also may be used to finance qualified home-improvement 

loans. Qualified home-improvement loans are defined as loans to finance alterations, repairs, 

and improvements on an existing residence, but only if such alterations, repairs, and 
 

37 

improvements substantially protect or improve the basic livability or energy efficiency of the 

property. Qualified home-improvement loans may not exceed $15,000. 

A temporary provision waived the first-time homebuyer requirement for residences 

located in certain Presidentially declared disaster areas (sec. 143(k)(11)). In addition, residences 

located in such areas were treated as targeted area residences for purposes of the income and 

purchase price limitations. The special rule for residences located in Presidentially declared 

disaster areas does not apply to bonds issued after January 1, 1999. 

Explanation of Provision

The provision waives the first-time homebuyer requirement for residences located in a 

Hurricane Katrina disaster area by treating such residences as if they were targeted area 

residences. For this rule to apply, issuers must make a determination that the residences financed 

with qualified mortgage bonds replace residences that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane 

Katrina. For this provision, a Hurricane Katrina disaster area is defined as an area with respect 

to which a major disaster has been declared by the President before September 14, 2005, under 

the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with 

Hurricane Katrina and which is determined by the President before such date to warrant 

assistance from the Federal Government under such Act. 

The provision also increases from $15,000 to $150,000 the amount of a qualified homeimprovement loan that may be financed with qualified mortgage bonds to the extent the homeimprovement loan is for the repair of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective for bonds issued after August 28, 2005, and before August 29, 

2008. 
 

38

E. Extension of Replacement Period for Nonrecognition of Gain 

(sec. 405 of the bill) 

Present Law

Generally, a taxpayer realizes gain to the extent the sales price (and any other 

consideration received) exceeds the taxpayer’s basis in the property. The realized gain is subject 

to current income tax unless the gain is deferred or not recognized under a special tax provision. 

Under section 1033, gain realized by a taxpayer from an involuntary conversion of 

property is deferred to the extent the taxpayer purchases property similar or related in service or 

use to the converted property within the applicable period. The taxpayer’s basis in the 

replacement property generally is the cost of such property, reduced by the amount of gain not 

recognized. 

The applicable period for the taxpayer to replace the converted property begins with the 

date of the disposition of the converted property (or if earlier, the earliest date of the threat or 

imminence of requisition or condemnation of the converted property) and ends two years after 

the close of the first taxable year in which any part of the gain upon conversion is realized (the 

“replacement period”). 

Special rules extend the replacement period for certain real property and principal 

residences damaged by a Presidentially declared disaster to three years and four years, 

respectively, after the close of the first taxable year in which gain is realized. Similarly, the 

replacement period for livestock sold on account of drought, flood, or other weather-related 

conditions is extended from two years to four years after the close of the first taxable year in 

which any part of the gain on conversion is realized. In the case of property compulsorily or 

involuntarily converted as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in the New 

York Liberty Zone, the replacement period is extended from two years to five years, but only if 

substantially all of the use of the replacement property is in the city of New York (sec. 

1400L(g)). 

Explanation of Provision

The provision extends from two to five years the replacement period in which a taxpayer 

may replace converted property, in the case of property that is located in a certain area and that is 

compulsorily or involuntarily converted as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The converted property 

must be located in an area with respect to which a major disaster has been declared by the 

President before September 14, 2005, under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 

and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with Hurricane Katrina, and which is determined 

by the President before that date to warrant assistance from the Federal government under that 

Act. Substantially all of the use of the replacement property must be located in this area. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective upon enactment. 
 

39

F. Special Look-Back Rule for Determining Earned 

Income Credit and Refundable Child Credit 

(sec. 406 of the bill) 

Present Law

Present law provides eligible taxpayers with an earned income credit and a child credit. 

In general, the earned income credit is a refundable credit for low-income workers (sec. 32). The 

amount of the credit depends on the earned income of the taxpayer and whether the taxpayer has 

one, more than one, or no qualifying children. Earned income generally includes wages, salaries, 

tips, and other employee compensation, plus net earnings from self-employment. 

Taxpayers with incomes below certain threshold amounts are eligible for a $1,000 credit 

for each qualifying child (sec. 24). The child credit is refundable to the extent of 15 percent of 

the taxpayer's earned income in excess of $10,000. (The $10,000 income threshold is indexed 

for inflation and is currently $11,000 for 2005.) Families with three or more children are 

allowed a refundable credit for the amount by which the taxpayer's social security taxes exceed 

the taxpayer's earned income credit, if that amount is greater than the refundable credit based on 

the taxpayer's earned income in excess of $10,000 (indexed for inflation). 

Explanation of Provision

The provision permits qualified individuals to elect to calculate their earned income 

credit and refundable child credit for the taxable year which includes August 28, 2005, using 

their earned income from the prior taxable year. Qualified individuals are permitted to make the 

election only if their earned income for the taxable year which includes August 28, 2005, is less 

than their earned income for the preceding taxable year. Qualified individuals are individuals 

who on August 28, 2005, had their principal place of abode in any area with respect to which a 

major disaster declaration had been declared by the President before September 14, 2005, under 

the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with 

Hurricane Katrina, and which was determined by the President before such date to warrant 

Federal assistance. 

For purposes of the provision, in the case of a joint return for a taxable year which 

includes August 28, 2005, the provision applies if either spouse is a qualified individual. In such 

cases, the earned income which is attributable to the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year is 

the sum of the earned income which is attributable to each spouse for such preceding taxable 

year. Any substitution under the provision applies only with respect to earned income which is 

attributable to a spouse who is a qualified individual. 

Any election to use the prior year’s earned income under the provision applies with 

respect to both the earned income credit and refundable child credit. For administrative 

purposes, the incorrect use on a return of earned income pursuant to an election under this 

provision is treated as a mathematical or clerical error. An election under the provision is 

disregarded for purposes of calculating gross income in the election year. 
 

40

Effective Date

The provision is effective for the taxable year of a qualified individual that includes 

August 28, 2005.
 

41 

G. Secretarial Authority to Make Adjustments Regarding Taxpayer and Dependency 

Status for Taxpayers Affected by Hurricane Katrina 

(sec. 407 of the bill) 

Present Law

In order to determine taxable income, an individual reduces adjusted gross income 

(“AGI”) by any personal exemptions and either the standard deduction or itemized deductions. 

Personal exemptions generally are allowed for the taxpayer, his or her spouse, and any 

dependents (as defined in sec. 151). Personal exemptions are not allowed for purposes of 

determining a taxpayer’s alternative minimum taxable income. 

For 2005, the amount deductible for each personal exemption is $3,200. This amount is 

indexed annually for inflation. The deduction for personal exemptions is phased out ratably for 

taxpayers with AGI over certain thresholds. These thresholds are indexed annually for inflation. 

Specifically, the total amount of exemptions that may be claimed by a taxpayer is reduced by 

two percent for each $2,500 (or portion thereof) by which the taxpayer's AGI exceeds the 

applicable threshold. (The phaseout rate is two percent for each $1,250 for married taxpayers 

filing separate returns.) Thus, the personal exemptions claimed are phased out over a $122,500 

range (which is not indexed for inflation), beginning at the applicable threshold. The applicable 

thresholds for 2005 are $145,900 for single individuals, $218,950 for married individuals filing a 

joint return, $182,450 for heads of households, and $109,475 for married individuals filing 

separate returns. For 2005, the point at which a taxpayer's personal exemptions are completely 

phased out is $268,450 for single individuals, $341,450 for married individuals filing a joint 

return, $304,950 for heads of households, and $170,725 for married individuals filing separate 

returns. 

Present law provides eligible taxpayers with an earned income credit and a child credit. 

In general, the earned income credit is a refundable credit for low-income workers. The amount 

of the credit depends on the earned income of the taxpayer and whether the taxpayer has one, 

more than one, or no qualifying children. Earned income generally includes wages, salaries, tips, 

and other employee compensation, plus net earnings from self-employment. 

Taxpayers with incomes below certain threshold amounts are eligible for a $1,000 credit 

for each qualifying child. The child credit is refundable to the extent of 15 percent of the 

taxpayer’s earned income in excess of $10,000. (The $10,000 income threshold is indexed for 

inflation and is currently $11,000 for 2005.) Families with three or more children are allowed a 

refundable credit for the amount by which the taxpayer's social security taxes exceed the 

taxpayer’s earned income credit, if that amount is greater than the refundable credit based on the 

taxpayer's earned income in excess of $10,000 (indexed for inflation). 

Explanation of Provision

The provision authorizes the Secretary to make such adjustments in the application of the 

Federal tax laws as may be necessary to ensure that taxpayers do not lose any deduction or credit 

or experience a change of filing status by reason of temporary relocations after Hurricane Katrina 

or by reason of the receipt of hurricane relief. Such adjustments may include, for example, 
 

42 

addressing the application of the residency requirements relating to dependency exemptions in 

the case of relocations due to Hurricane Katrina. Any adjustments made under this provision 

must insure that an individual is not taken into account by more than one taxpayer with respect to 

the same tax benefit. 

Effective Date

The provision is effective with respect to taxable years beginning in 2005 or 2006.