[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4337 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4337
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals an
above-the-line deduction for contributions made to the Armed Forces
Relief Trust as part of filing their income tax returns.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 6, 2007
Mr. Shays (for himself, Mr. Edwards, Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida,
Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Goodlatte, and Mr. Carter)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals an
above-the-line deduction for contributions made to the Armed Forces
Relief Trust as part of filing their income tax returns.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Emergency Relief Tax Check-Off for
Our Armed Forces Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. ABOVE-THE-LINE DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARMED
FORCES RELIEF TRUST.
Section 62(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining
adjusted gross income) is amended by inserting after paragraph (21) the
following new paragraph:
``(22) Certain contributions to armed forces relief
trust.--In the case of an individual, the deduction allowed by
section 170 to the extent it does not exceed the lesser of--
``(A) the amount contributed by the taxpayer
pursuant to the designation procedure under section
6097, or
``(B) $1,000 ($2,000 in the case of a joint
return).''.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE ARMED
FORCES RELIEF TRUST.
(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 THE ARMED
FORCES RELIEF TRUST
``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 designate that--
``(1) a specified portion (but not less than $1) of any
overpayment of tax for such taxable year, and
``(2) any cash contribution which the taxpayer includes
with such return,
shall be contributed to the Armed Forces Relief Trust.
``(b) Manner and Time of Designation.--A designation 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 designation shall
be made either on the first page of the return 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 prescribed for filing the return of tax imposed by chapter 1
(determined without regard to extensions) or, if later, the date the
return is filed.
``(d) Explanation.--The Secretary shall include in the general
instructions for filing returns by individuals of the tax imposed by
chapter 1--
``(1) a description of the deduction under section
62(a)(22) and the designation procedure under this section,
``(2) an explanation that charitable contributions to the
Armed Forces Relief Trust that are not described in section
62(a)(22) are still allowable as a deduction to taxpayers who
itemize deductions, and
``(3) a notice that the use of funds contributed to the
Armed Forces Relief Trust under this section shall be
determined by the Advisory Board established under subsection
(e).
``(e) Advisory Board.--
``(1) Appointment.--
``(A) In general.--There is established an advisory
board for the Armed Forces Relief Trust. The members of
such board shall be appointed as follows:
``(i) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the
Senate.
``(ii) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of
the Senate.
``(iii) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate.
``(iv) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate.
``(v) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation.
``(vi) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of
the House of Representatives.
``(vii) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the House of Representatives.
``(viii) One individual appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives.
``(ix) One individual appointed by the
President from each of the following: the Army
Emergency Relief Society, the Navy Marine Corps
Relief Society, the Air Force Aid Society, and
the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Relief
Society.
``(x) Two individuals appointed by the
President from 2 veterans service
organizations.
``(B) Term.--The term of each member of the
advisory board shall be 3 years, except that any member
whose term of office has expired shall continue to
serve until such member's successor is appointed. No
member shall serve more than 2 3-year terms.
``(C) Appointment of successors.--The appointment
of any successor member shall be made in the same
manner as the original appointment. If a member dies or
resigns before the expiration of the member's term, a
successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion
of the term in the same manner as the original
appointment.
``(D) Prohibition.--No member of the advisory board
may be an employee of the Federal Government.
``(2) Chairman; vice chairman.--
``(A) Designation.--The President shall designate a
chairman for the advisory board. The advisory board
shall not later than its second meeting, by majority
vote, designate a vice chairman, who shall perform the
duties of the chairman in the absence of the chairman.
``(B) Duties of chairman.--The chairman shall call
the meetings of the advisory board, propose meeting
agendas, chair the meetings, and establish, with the
approval of a majority of the members, the rules and
procedures for such meetings.
``(3) Operations of board.--The advisory board shall meet
semi-annually, for the purpose of providing ongoing advice to
the Armed Forces Relief Trust regarding the distribution of
contributed funds, policies governing said distribution, and
the administrative costs and operations of the Armed Forces
Relief Trust. A majority of the members shall constitute a
quorum. Advisory board members shall serve without
compensation. While performing duties as a member of the
advisory board, each member shall be reimbursed under Federal
Government travel regulations for travel expenses. Such
reimbursements and any other reasonable expenses of the
advisory board shall be provided by the budget of the Executive
Office of the President.
``(4) Control over designated funds.--Amounts contributed
to the Armed Forces Relief Trust pursuant to this section may
be used by such Trust only as provided by the advisory board.
``(5) Audit.--The General Accountability Office shall audit
the distribution and management of funds of the Armed Forces
Relief Trust on an annual basis to ensure compliance with
statutory and administrative directives. The Comptroller
General of the United States shall report to the advisory board
and Congress on the results of such audit.
``(6) Reports.--Within 60 days after its semi-annual
meeting, the advisory board shall submit a written report to
the President of its action, and of its views and
recommendations. Any report other than the semi-annual report,
shall, if approved by a majority of the members of the advisory
board, be submitted to the President within 60 days after such
approval.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of parts for subchapter A of
chapter 61 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following
new item:
``Part IX. Designation of Overpayments and Contributions for the Armed
Forces Relief Trust.''.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this Act shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2006.
<all>