Upward Mobility Enhancement Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the exclusion for educational assistance programs and to allow the exclusion with respect to education-related tools and technology. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Upward Mobility Enhancement Act 2. Increase in exclusion for educational assistance programs (a) In general Section 127(a)(2) (2) Maximum exclusion (A) In general This section shall apply only to the first $12,000 of educational assistance furnished to an individual during a calendar year, in the case of assistance for education below the graduate level. (B) Inflation adjustment In the case of any calendar year after 2021, the dollar amount in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (i) such dollar amount, multiplied by (ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins by substituting calendar year 2020 calendar year 2016 If any increase determined under this subparagraph is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020. 3. Expenses for education-related tools and technology (a) In general Section 127(c)(1) equipment education-related tools and technology and other equipment (b) Education-Related tools and technology Section 127(c) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (8) Education-related tools and technology For purposes of paragraph (1), the term education-related tools and technology (A) hand tools and construction equipment, (B) computer or peripheral equipment (as defined in section 168(i)(2)(B)), (C) computer software (as defined in section 197(e)(3)(B)), (D) Internet access and related services (including equipment or technology necessary for Internet access), (E) Internet, mobile, or virtual reality learning tools and technology, (F) licensure fees, materials, or other equipment, and (G) any other tools or technology as determined by the Secretary, provided to an employee which is required for the education of the employee or in connection with a course of instruction for the employee, or is required in order for the employee to obtain professional advancement, to obtain any certification, licensure, or employment under any State, regional or national guidelines or regulations applicable to a trade or other skilled profession, or to maintain such a certification, licensure, or employment through a continuing education program. (c) Employee retention of education-Related tools and technology Section 127(c)(1) of such Code is amended by striking completion of a course of instruction, completion of a course of instruction (other than education-related tools and technology not described in paragraph (8)(D)), (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred on or after the first day of the calendar quarter which includes the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Upward Mobility Enhancement Act This bill increases the amount of the tax exclusion for employer-paid educational assistance programs. It also expands the exclusion to include amounts paid for education-related tools and technology (e.g., hand tools, computers, software, licensure fees).