jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-02-25 00:00:00

ITIN Reform Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to an individual only if such individual: (1) submits an application for an ITIN in person at an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) taxpayer assistance center with required documentation, or (2) submits an application in person outside of the United States to an IRS employee or a designee of the Secretary at a U.S. diplomatic mission or consular post with required documentation. Exempts from this requirement military spouses or dependents, and nonresident aliens claiming tax treaty benefits.

Requires the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury for Tax Administration to audit, on a biennial basis, the IRS program for issuance of ITINs pursuant to this Act and report to Congress on such audit.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-02-26 00:00:00

Taxpayer Accountability Act - Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): (1) to provide a substantive written response (not merely an acknowledgment letter) to any written correspondence from a taxpayer not later than 30 days after receiving such correspondence; (2) within 30 days after disclosing taxpayer information to any federal, state, or local governmental entity, to provide to the taxpayer a written notification describing the information, to whom it was disclosed, and when it was disclosed; and (3) to conclude any audit of an individual taxpayer not later than 1 year after the audit is initiated and to not assess any tax with respect to such audit after it is concluded.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2014-02-27 00:00:00

Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years on any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who willfully acts with the intent to injure, oppress, threaten, intimidate, or single out and subject to undue scrutiny for purposes of harassment any person or organization in any state: (1) based solely or primarily on the political, economic, or social positions held or expressed by such person or organization; or (2) because such person or organization has expressed a particular political, economic, or social position using any words or writing allowed by law.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-03-05 00:00:00

Taxpayer Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the annual report of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board to include: (1) any claim filed during the preceding year alleging a violation of any constitutional right of a taxpayer by an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee; (2) with respect to such claim, whether a final administrative or judicial determination has been reached and whether the employment of any IRS employee determined to be liable for such violation has been terminated; and (3) a statement of the effectiveness of any procedures and measures established by the IRS to prevent discrimination by any IRS employee against any taxpayer on the basis of the taxpayer's political affiliations, beliefs, or activities.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-04-07 00:00:00

Eliminating Improper and Abusive IRS Audits Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the maximum amount of civil damages for which Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officers or employees shall be liable for reckless, intentional, or negligent disregard of internal revenue laws and extend the period for bringing a claim for such damages; (2) increase the penalties against federal officers and employees for violations of internal revenue laws and for unauthorized inspection or disclosure of tax returns and return information; (3) extend the period in which taxpayer property that has been wrongfully levied upon may be returned and the period for bringing suit for a wrongful tax levy; (4) increase civil fines for unauthorized disclosures of tax return information; (5) prohibit the consideration by the IRS Office of Appeal on appeal of any issue that was not within the scope of the initial determination; (6) prohibit a tax lien against a taxpayer's principal residence unless a written determination is made that all other property of the taxpayer, if sold, is insufficient to pay the tax liability and the lien will not create an economic hardship for the taxpayer; (7) require the termination of an IRS employee for disproportionate scrutiny of an organization applying for tax-exempt status based on the ideology expressed in the name or purpose of the organization; (8) allow a declaratory judgment with respect to the initial or continuing classification of a tax-exempt social welfare organization; and (9) require the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury to review any IRS criteria for selection of tax returns for examination or audit, assessment or collection of deficiencies, criminal investigation or referral, refunds for amounts paid, or any heightened scrutiny or review to determine whether such criteria discriminates against taxpayers on the basis of race, religion, or political ideology and to consult with the IRS on recommended amendments to such criteria.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-04-10 00:00:00

Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make certain disclosures to individuals who were validly assigned a social security account number and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) if the Secretary determines that there is a substantial likelihood that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in the employment context. Authorizes the FBI Director to disclose information received from the Secretary to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, provided such an official enters into a memorandum of understanding regarding the confidentiality of such information, but restricts the use of such information to carrying out criminal investigations or prosecutions.

Requires employers who have been notified of suspected misuse of an employee's social security account number to cease including such account number on statements provided to such employee.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-04-30 00:00:00

No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from providing any discretionary performance award to any employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to whom there is substantial evidence of misconduct or a seriously delinquent tax debt. Requires the Secretary to consider such a denial or withholding of a discretionary performance award as an action necessary to protect the integrity of the IRS, for purposes of any collective bargaining agreement.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-05-01 00:00:00

No Bonuses for Tax Delinquent IRS Employees Act of 2014 - Prohibits the payment of any performance award (including, but not limited to, bonuses, step increases, and time off) to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who owes an outstanding federal tax debt.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-06-05 00:00:00

Permits any enrolled agent properly licensed to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to use the credentials or designation of "enrolled agent," "EA," or "E.A."
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-06-24 00:00:00

Holding the IRS Leadership Accountable Act - Prohibits the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from providing any performance awards, including bonuses, step increases, and leave time, to IRS senior-level executives until such time as the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury certifies that the IRS has provided all documents, including all electronic communications, requested by the congressional committees investigating the targeting of certain taxpayers who applied for tax-exempt status as a social welfare organization.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-07-30 00:00:00

Access to Court Challenges for Exempt Status Seekers (ACCESS) Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the availability of the declaratory judgment legal remedy to all organizations that are currently classified as tax-exempt (currently, limited to "c-3" charitable, religious, or educational organizations) and to religious and apostolic organizations, for purposes of determining the initial or continuing qualification of such organizations for a tax exemption.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-07-31 00:00:00

Tax Refund Theft Prevention Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a safe harbor rule for errors on tax information and payee statements to treat such statements as correctly filed if there are one or more errors on such statements and no single erroneous amount differs from the correct amount by more than $25; (2) require any tax return that is prepared electronically, but is printed and filed on paper, to bear a code which can, when scanned, convert such return to an electronic format; (3) impose a fine and/or prison term on any person who willfully misappropriates another person's taxpayer identity; (4) require a tax statement reporting wages and other tax information to show an identifying number for the employee (currently, requires the employee's social security number); (5) increase civil and criminal penalties for tax return preparers who improperly disclose or use tax return information; (6) enhance requirements relating to electronic filing of tax returns and the filing of W-2 and 1099 forms; and (7) impose a due diligence requirement on tax return preparers to verify the identity of a taxpayer for whom they file a return or refund claim.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1)  make available on a website resources and guidance that will allow taxpayers to prepare and file (in batches of not more than 50) forms 1099, prepare forms 1099 for distribution to recipients other than the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and create and maintain necessary taxpayer records; (2) establish a single point of contact with an IRS employee for taxpayers whose tax returns have been delayed or affected due to misappropriation of the taxpayer's identity; (3) implement a password system for the prevention of identity theft tax fraud; (4) issue regulations that restrict the delivery or deposit of multiple individual income tax refunds from the same tax year to the same individual account or mailing address; and (5) report on the extent and nature of fraud involving the use of misappropriated taxpayer identity.

Grants the Secretary access to information in the National Directory of New Hires for the sole purpose of identifying and preventing fraudulent tax return filings and claims for tax refunds.

Amends the federal criminal code to include within the definition of aggravated identity theft the misappropriation of taxpayer identity in connection with tax fraud.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-01-06 00:00:00

Tax Code Termination Act

Terminates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 2019, except for self-employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, and railroad retirement taxes. Requires a two-thirds majority vote in Congress to change such termination date.

Declares that any new federal tax system should be a simple and fair system that: (1) applies a low rate to all Americans, (2) provides tax relief for working Americans, (3) protects the rights of taxpayers and reduces tax collection abuses, (4) eliminates the bias against savings and investment, (5) promotes economic growth and job creation, and (6) does not penalize marriage or families.

Requires that the new federal tax system be approved by Congress in its final form by July 4, 2019.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-02-04 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 13, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Prevent Targeting at the IRS Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 to expand existing grounds for termination of the employment of an Internal Revenue Service employee to include performing, delaying, or failing to perform (or threatening to perform, delay, or fail to perform) any official action (including any audit) with respect to a taxpayer for purpose of extracting personal gain or benefit or for a political purpose.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-02-05 00:00:00

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a state, on behalf of a local government, to submit to the Secretary of the Treasury notice of a past-due, legally enforceable local tax obligation for offset against a taxpayer's tax refund. Defines "past-due, legally enforceable local tax obligation" as any debt which: (1) resulted from a judgment determining an amount of tax due to a local government; (2) is no longer subject to judicial review; or (3) resulted from a tax imposed by a local government which has been assessed but not collected, the time for redetermination of which has expired, and which has not been delinquent for more than 10 years.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-02-09 00:00:00

IRS Notice for Organizations That Include Charities is Essential (IRS NOTICE) Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to notify any tax-exempt organization, not later than 300 days after such an organization fails to file its annual tax return or other required information for two consecutive years, that: (1) the Internal Revenue Service has no record of its return or information for two consecutive years, and (2) a penalty will occur if the organization fails to file its return or information by the next filing deadline. Allows the reinstatement of the tax-exempt status of such an organization without the requirement of an application if: (1) the organization demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it did not receive the notice required by this Act, and (2) it files an annual return or required information for the current year.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-02-10 00:00:00

Permits any enrolled agent properly licensed to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service to use the credentials or designation of "enrolled agent," "EA," or "E.A."
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-02-24 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 13, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act 

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Department of the Treasury to disclose to any person who provides information indicating a violation of internal revenue laws relating to unauthorized disclosure or inspection of tax information or to unlawful acts of revenue officers or agents: (1) whether an investigation based on such information has been initiated and is open or closed; (2) whether any such investigation substantiated a violation; and (3) whether any action has been taken against a violator, including a referral for prosecution.

Makes this Act applicable to disclosures made on or after its enactment date.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-02-25 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 13, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that IRS employees are familiar with and act in accordance with taxpayer rights, including the right to be informed, to quality service, to pay no more than the correct amount of tax, to challenge the position of the IRS and be heard, to an appeal in an independent forum, to finality, to privacy, to confidentiality, to retain representation, and to a fair and just tax system.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2015-02-26 00:00:00

Taxpayer Nondiscrimination and Protection Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code to establish penalties for misconduct against a taxpayer by an Internal Revenue Service employee during the performance of official duties, specifically including a violation of the protections and guarantees afforded under the First Amendment of the Constitution to political speech and political expression.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-02-27 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 13, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

IRS Email Transparency Act

Prohibits any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service from using a personal email account to conduct official business.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-03-02 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 18, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act 

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits any federal officer or employee from hiring any Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees until the IRS submits to Congress either: (1) a written certification that the IRS does not employ any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt, or (2) a report detailing why the certification cannot be made and necessary remedial actions.

A seriously delinquent tax debt is an outstanding tax debt for which the IRS has filed a notice of lien in public records, excluding a tax debt: (1) that is being paid in a timely manner under an approved installment payment agreement or an offer-in-compromise, (2) for which a collection due process hearing has been requested or is pending, (3) for which a tax levy has been issued, or (4) with respect to which relief has been granted due to economic hardship.

If the IRS is unable to provide the required certification, it may submit to Congress a report that:

 states that the certification cannot be made, explains why the certification is not possible, outlines remedial actions required to provide a certification, and indicates the time required for the actions to be completed. (Sec. 3) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this bill.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-03-24 00:00:00

This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service to implement security measures, including the use of security questions, in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated through electronic identity theft.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-03-25 00:00:00

Tax Return Preparer Accountability Act of 2015

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to regulate tax return preparers who are not otherwise subject to regulation. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a $1,000 penalty for each federal tax return or other document prepared by a tax return preparer during a period in which such preparer: (1) is not in compliance with applicable Treasury regulations, or (2) is suspended or disbarred from acting as a tax return preparer under such regulations.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-04-13 00:00:00

Autofill Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Department of the Treasury to: (1) establish a program to allow taxpayers to download income tax forms that are populated with tax return information (e.g., wages, withholding, and self-employment income) previously reported to Treasury for the taxable year; (2) establish standards by October 31, 2015, for data download to tax preparation software; and (3) provide, not later than February 15, 2016, and annually thereafter, on the website of Treasury a secure function that allows a taxpayer to download, as both a printable document file and in a form suitable for input to automatic tax preparation software, the 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ forms that are populated with tax return information previously reported to Treasury. Establishes deadlines for reporting tax return information to Treasury and for making such information available for populating tax returns.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-04-14 00:00:00

Tax Refund Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Department of the Treasury to establish a program to license or certify and regulate tax return preparers. The program must: (1) require that the tax return preparer demonstrate good character, good reputation, necessary qualifications to enable the preparer to provide valuable service to persons as a tax return preparer, and competency; (2) require preparers to make certain disclosures relating to fees charged for tax preparation and the average amount of time expected to receive a tax refund; and (3) authorize Treasury to take enforcement action against a tax return preparer for incompetency or wrongdoing.

The bill also amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to regulate refund anticipation payment arrangements. A refund anticipation payment arrangement is defined as an arrangement under which, in exchange for tax preparation services, a taxpayer agrees to pay a fee or interest upon receipt of a tax refund to a preparer or lender either by a direct payment to a preparer or lender or by direct deposit to a designated account. The CFPB shall require tax return preparers to provide a disclosure statement to a consumer about the arrangement and shall promulgate regulations that require preparers to comply with the disclosure requirements of the Truth in Lending Act.

Finally, the bill allows an income tax refund requested on a tax return prepared by an income tax preparer to be split between the preparer and the taxpayer and prohibits the treatment of such a split as disreputable conduct merely because the taxpayer requested such split.
Topic: Government Operations — Tax Administration
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-04-15 00:00:00

No Bonuses for Tax Delinquent IRS Employees Act of 2015

 Prohibits the payment of any performance award (including, but not limited to, bonuses, step increases, and time off) to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service who owes an outstanding federal tax debt.