Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-4881
Sponsor: Rep. Ellsworth, Brad [D-IN-8]
Introduced: 2007-12-19 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Collection of accounts
Commerce
Corporations
Debt
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid programs
Finance and Financial Sector
Fines (Penalties)
Government contractors
Government procurement
Income tax
Law
Partnerships
Subsidies
Tax liens
Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: 
Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2007 - Prohibits any person who has a seriously delinquent tax debt from obtaining a federal government contract or grant. Requires federal agency heads to require prospective contractors or grantees to: (1) certify that they do not have such a debt; and (2) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose information describing whether such contractors or grantees have such a debt. 

Defines &quot;seriously delinquent tax debt&quot; and an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records.

action_date: 2008-04-10
text: 
Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2008 - Establishes a policy that no U.S. government contracts or grants should be awarded to individuals or companies with seriously delinquent tax debts.

Requires a person who has such a debt to be proposed for debarment from any federal government contract unless such requirement is waived by a federal agency head. 

Requires an agency head that issues an invitation for bids or a request for proposals for a contract in an amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold to require prospective contractors to: (1) certify that they do not have such a debt; and (2) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose information describing whether they have such a debt. Exempts contracts designated by agency heads as assisting the agency in the performance of disaster relief authorities or as necessary to national security.

Prohibits the head of an agency offering a grant exceeding such threshold from awarding it to a person who does not submit such certification and authorization. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation and regulations governing grants to be revised to require such certification and authorization. 

Defines &quot;seriously delinquent tax debt&quot; as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records. Excludes a tax debt: (1) that is being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an installment agreement; or (2) for which a collection due process hearing, or for which relief from liability for a tax deficiency applicable to joint filers, is requested or pending.

action_date: 2008-04-14
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 10, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2008 - Establishes a policy that no U.S. government contracts or grants should be awarded to individuals or companies with seriously delinquent tax debts.

Requires a person who has such a debt to be proposed for debarment from any federal government contract unless such requirement is waived by a federal agency head. 

Requires an agency head that issues an invitation for bids or a request for proposals for a contract in an amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold to require prospective contractors to: (1) certify that they do not have such a debt; and (2) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose information describing whether they have such a debt. Exempts contracts designated by agency heads as assisting the agency in the performance of disaster relief authorities or as necessary to national security.

Prohibits the head of an agency offering a grant exceeding such threshold from awarding it to a person who does not submit such certification and authorization. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation and regulations governing grants to be revised to require such certification and authorization. 

Defines &quot;seriously delinquent tax debt&quot; as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records. Excludes a tax debt: (1) that is being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an installment agreement; or (2) for which a collection due process hearing, or for which relief from liability for a tax deficiency applicable to joint filers, is requested or pending.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2234-2235)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2234-2235)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4881.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2234-2237)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Mr. Braley (IA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 356.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-578.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-578.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-03-11
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2008-03-11
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-01-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Introduced in House