Universal Savings Account Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create Universal Savings Accounts. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Universal Savings Account Act 2. Universal savings accounts (a) In general Subchapter F of chapter 1 IX Universal savings accounts 530A. Universal savings accounts (a) General rule A Universal Savings Account shall be exempt from taxation under this subtitle. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, such account shall be subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating to imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable organizations). (b) Universal savings account For purposes of this section, the term Universal Savings Account (1) Except in the case of a qualified rollover contribution described in subsection (e)— (A) no contribution will be accepted unless it is in cash, and (B) contributions will not be accepted for the calendar year in excess of the contribution limit specified in subsection (d)(1). (2) The trustee is a bank (as defined in section 408(n)) or another person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the manner in which that person will administer the trust will be consistent with the requirements of this section or who has so demonstrated with respect to any individual retirement plan. (3) No part of the trust assets will be invested in life insurance contracts. (4) The interest of an individual in the balance of his account is nonforfeitable. (5) The assets of the trust shall not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund. (c) Eligible individual For purposes of this section, the term eligible individual (1) not less than 18 years of age, and (2) a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States. (d) Treatment of contributions and distributions (1) Contribution limit (A) In general The aggregate amount of contributions (other than qualified rollover contributions described in subsection (e)) for any calendar year to all Universal Savings Accounts maintained for the benefit of an eligible individual shall not exceed $5,500. (B) Cost-of-living adjustment (i) In general In the case of any calendar year after 2018, the $5,500 amount under 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, determined by substituting calendar year 2017 calendar year 1992 (ii) Rounding rules If any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is not a multiple of $500, such amount shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $500. (2) Distributions Any distribution from a Universal Savings Account shall not be includible in gross income. (e) Qualified rollover contribution For purposes of this section, the term qualified rollover contribution (f) Treatment of account upon death Upon death of any individual for whose benefit a Universal Savings Account has been established— (1) all amounts in such account shall be treated as distributed on the date of such individual's death, and (2) such account shall cease to be treated as a Universal Savings Account. (g) Loss of taxation exemption of account where beneficiary engages in prohibited transaction; effect of pledging account as security Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to any Universal Savings Account. (h) Limitation to one account per individual (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), no trust created for the benefit of an eligible individual shall be treated as a Universal Savings Account under subsection (b) if such eligible individual has in existence another Universal Savings Account at the time such trust was established. (2) Exception Under regulations established by the Secretary, paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any trust created for the purposes of receiving a qualified rollover contribution consisting of all amounts in the previously established Universal Savings Account. (i) Reports The trustee of a Universal Savings Account shall make such reports regarding such account to the Secretary and to the beneficiary of the account with respect to contributions, distributions, and such other matters as the Secretary may require. The reports required by this subsection shall be filed at such time and in such manner and furnished to such individuals at such time and in such manner as may be required. . (b) Tax on excess contributions (1) In general Subsection (a) of section 4973 or or (7) a Universal Savings Account (as defined in section 530A), . (2) Excess contribution Section 4973 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (i) Excess contributions to universal savings accounts For purposes of this section— (1) In general In the case of Universal Savings Accounts (within the meaning of section 530A), the term excess contributions (A) the amount by which the amount contributed for the calendar year to such accounts (other than qualified rollover contributions (as defined in section 530A(e))) exceeds the contribution limit under section 530A(d)(1) for such calendar year, and (B) the amount determined under this subsection for the preceding calendar year, reduced by the excess (if any) of the maximum amount allowable as a contribution under section 530A(d)(1) for the calendar year over the amount contributed to the accounts for the calendar year. (2) Special rule A contribution shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1) if such contribution (together with the amount of net income attributable to such contribution) is returned to the beneficiary before July 1 of the year following the year in which the contribution is made. . (c) Failure To provide reports on universal savings accounts Paragraph (2) of section 6693(a) and , and (G) section 530A(i) (relating to Universal Savings Accounts). . (d) Conforming amendment The table of parts for subchapter F of chapter 1 Part IX. Universal savings accounts . (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.

Summary: Universal Savings Account Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the establishment of Universal Savings Accounts. These accounts shall be tax-exempt and may be opened by any individual who is at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Contributions to these accounts must be in cash and may not exceed $5,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) in any calendar year. Distributions from a Universal Savings Account are excluded from the gross income of the account holder for income tax purposes.