Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5638
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas, William M. [R-CA-22]
Introduced: 2006-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Commerce
Congress
Corporation taxes
Estate tax
Families
Gift tax
Government Operations and Politics
Inheritance tax
Married people
Public Lands and Natural Resources
State taxation
Sunset legislation
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax rates
Timber sales

Summary:
action_date: 2006-06-19
text: 
Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the estate and gift tax exclusion amount to $5 million beginning in 2010; (2) lower to 15% the estate tax rate for estates up to $25 million and 30% for estates of $25 million or more; (3) repeal after 2009 the estate tax deduction for estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes paid to states; (4) allow a surviving spouse to claim any unused portion of a deceased spouse's estate or gift tax exclusion amount; and (5) allow a taxpayer election to deduct from gross income the lesser of 60% of qualified timber gain or net capital gain.

Provides that the general termination date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001(EGTRRA) (i.e., December 31, 2010) shall not apply to the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions of EGTRRA not amended by this Act. Repeals provisions of EGTRRA relating to carryover basis of estate property to allow heirs of such property after 2009 to use date-of-death fair market values. 

action_date: 2006-06-22
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the unified estate and gift tax exclusion and increase the exclusion amount to $5 million beginning in 2010. Adjusts such exclusion amount for inflation after 2010.
 
 Lowers the estate tax rate to equal the current long-term capital gains tax rate (i.e., 15% through 2010) for taxable estates up to $25 million and to twice such tax rate for estates of $25 million or more, beginning in 2010.
 
Repeals after 2009 the estate tax deduction for estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes paid to states. 
 
Provides that the general termination date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) (i.e., December 31, 2010) shall not apply to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions of EGTRRA which are not amended by this Act. 
 
Repeals provisions of EGTRRA relating to carryover basis of estate property to allow heirs to use a date-of-death fair market value for such property after 2009.
 
Allows a surviving spouse to claim any unused portion of a deceased spouse's estate or gift tax exclusion amount.
 
Allows a taxpayer election to deduct 60% of the lesser of qualified timber gain or net capital gain for a taxable year. Allows such deduction to taxpayers who do not itemize deductions. Terminates such deduction after 2008.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-26
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.
action_date: 2006-06-23
text: Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 269 - 156 (Roll no. 315). (text: CR H4445-4448)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 269 - 156 (Roll no. 315).(text: CR H4445-4448)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 - 236 (Roll no. 314). (consideration: CR H4464-4466)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H4465)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pomeroy motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a complete new text entitled "Certain and Immediate Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006".
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Mr. Pomeroy moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means. (consideration: CR H4464-4466; text: CR H4464-4465)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 195 (Roll no. 313).
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Mr. Thomas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Mr. Rangel appealed the ruling of the chair.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Mr. Thomas raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Thomas stated that the provisions of the motion to recommit were not germane to the bill. Sustained by the Chair.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a a point of order.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Mr. Rangel moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means. (consideration: CR H4461-4464; text: CR H4461-4462)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.R. 5638.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5638.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5638 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 885. (consideration: CR H4445-4467)
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: On motion to consider Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 - 188 (Roll no. 312).
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Ms. Pelosi rose on the question of consideration and pursuant to clause 3, rule 16, demanded a vote on the question of consideration.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Mr. Thomas moved to consider.
action_date: 2006-06-22
text: Rule H. Res. 885 passed House.
action_date: 2006-06-21
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 885 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5638 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
action_date: 2006-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2006-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-06-19
text: Introduced in House