I
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1442
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals to designate
any portion of their income tax overpayments, and to make other con-
tributions, for deficit reduction.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 6, 1995
Mr. MINGE (for himself, Mrs. MEYERS of Kansas, Mr. DEFAZIO, and Mrs.
FOWLER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow indi-
viduals to designate any portion of their income tax
overpayments, and to make other contributions, for defi-
cit reduction.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Check-Off for Our
Children Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) the Federal budget has not been balanced
since 1969, an unprecedented 26-year string of
budget shortfalls, and the Federal debt has been ris-
ing quickly as each annual deficit adds to the total
accumulation of the national debt;
(2) the large Federal debt has become a threat
to the economic stability of the United States and to
its future generations; and
(3) policies must be implemented to balance the
Federal budget and to pay down the Federal debt.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are—
(1) to form a Partnership for America’s Future
between the citizens and the Congress of the United
States to reduce the principal of our national debt
and to reclaim the economic future of the next gen-
eration of Americans;
(2) to encourage each American to practice an
individual stewardship responsibility; and
(3) to provide the American taxpayer an oppor-
tunity to participate in the Partnership for Ameri-
ca’s Future by making a contribution of all or any
part of a Federal income tax overpayment to the
United States Treasury for the sole purpose of retir-
ing the national debt.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AND CONTRIBU-
TIONS FOR REDUCTION OF PUBLIC DEBT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter A of chapter 61 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at
the end the following new part:
‘‘PART 
IX—DESIGNATION 
OF 
OVERPAYMENTS
AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR REDUCTION OF
PUBLIC DEBT
‘‘Sec. 6097. Designation.
‘‘SEC. 6097. DESIGNATION.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an individual, with
respect to each taxpayer’s return for the taxable year of
the tax imposed by chapter 1, such taxpayer may des-
ignate that—
‘‘(1) a specified portion of any overpayment of
tax for such taxable year, and
‘‘(2) any cash contribution which the taxpayer
includes with such return,
shall be used to reduce the public debt.
‘‘(b) MANNER AND TIME OF DESIGNATION.—A des-
ignation under subsection (a) may be made with respect
to any taxable year only at the time of filing the return
of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year.
Such designation shall be made in such manner as the
Secretary prescribes by regulations except that such des-
ignation shall be made either on the first page of the re-
turn or on the page bearing the taxpayer’s signature.
‘‘(c) OVERPAYMENTS TREATED AS REFUNDED.—
For purposes of this title, any portion of an overpayment
of tax designated under subsection (a) shall be treated as
being refunded to the taxpayer as of the last date pre-
scribed for filing the return of tax imposed by chapter 1
(determined without regard to extensions) or, if later, the
date the return is filed.’’.
(b) TRANSFERS TO ACCOUNT TO REDUCE PUBLIC
DEBT.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall, from time
to time, transfer to the special account established by sec-
tion 3113(d) of title 31, United States Code—
(1) the amounts of the overpayments of tax to
which designations under section 6097 of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 apply, and
(2) the amounts of contributions made under
such section to the United States.
The Secretary shall submit annual reports to the Congress
on the aggregate amount of such overpayments des-
ignated, and the aggregate amount of such contributions
received, during the year.
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of parts for
subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by
adding at the end thereof the following new item:
‘‘Part IX. Designation of overpayments and contributions for re-
duction of public debt.’’
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1994.
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