II
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1144
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 17, 2017
Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Roberts) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage business creation by allowing faster recovery of start-up and organizational expenses, to simplify accounting methods for small businesses, to expand expensing and provide accelerated cost recovery to encourage investment in new plants and equipment, and for other purposes.
Short title; amendment of 1986 Code; table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Investment in New Ventures and Economic Success Today Act of 2017
or the INVEST Act of 2017
.
Amendment of 1986 Code
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Table of contents
Sec. 1. Short title; amendment of 1986 Code; table of contents.
TITLE I—Start-up and organizational business expenses
Sec. 101. Unification and expansion of deduction for start-up and organizational expenditures.
TITLE II—Accounting methods
Sec. 201. Modifications of gross receipts test for use of cash method of accounting by corporations and partnerships.
Sec. 202. Clarification of inventory accounting rules for small businesses.
Sec. 203. Modification of rules for capitalization and inclusion in inventory costs of certain expenses.
Sec. 204. Increase in gross receipts test for construction contract exception to percentage of completion method.
TITLE III—Modifications of expensing and cost recovery rules
Subtitle A—Expensing rules
Sec. 301. Modifications of rules for expensing depreciable business assets.
Subtitle B—Cost recovery rules
Sec. 311. 50-percent expensing made permanent.
Sec. 312. Modifications of treatment of certain farm property.
Sec. 313. Secretarial requirement to reexamine economic depreciation for classes of depreciable property.
Sec. 314. Modifications to depreciation limitations on luxury automobiles and personal use property.
Sec. 315. Reduction in amortization period for intangibles.
Start-up and organizational business expenses
Unification and expansion of deduction for start-up and organizational expenditures
Unification
In general
Subsection (a) of section 195 is amended by inserting and organizational
after start-up
.
Organizational expenditures
Subsection (c) of section 195 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Organizational expenditures
The term organizational expenditures
means any expenditure which—
is incident to the creation of a corporation or a partnership,
is chargeable to capital account, and
is of a character which, if expended incident to the creation of a corporation or a partnership having an ascertainable life, would be amortizable over such life.
.
Conforming amendment
Section 195(b)(1) is amended by inserting or organizational
after start-up
each place it appears.
Dollar amounts and amortization period
Dollar amounts
Increase
Clause (ii) of section 195(b)(1)(A) is amended—
by striking $5,000
and inserting $50,000
, and
by striking $50,000
and inserting $100,000
.
Adjustment for inflation
Paragraph (3) of section 195(b) is amended to read as follows:
Adjustment for inflation
In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2018, the $50,000 and $100,000 amounts in paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting calendar year 2017
for calendar year 1992
in subparagraph (B) thereof.
.
Amortization period
Subparagraph (B) of section 195(b)(1) is amended by striking 180-month period
and inserting 120-month period
.
Allocation of limit to initial start-up and organizational expenditures
Section 195(b) is amended—
by striking If
in paragraph (1) and inserting Subject to paragraph (4), if
, and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Special rules for aggregation of initial expenditures of corporations and partnerships
For purposes of paragraph (1), if, at the time a corporation or partnership first begins the active conduct of one or more trades or businesses, a taxpayer has both start-up expenditures with respect to such trades or businesses and organizational expenditures with respect to such entity—
any election under paragraph (1) shall cover both such start-up and organizational expenditures,
the amount of the deduction under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to all such start-up and organizational expenditures shall not exceed the limitation under clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(A), and
the amount of such start-up and organizational expenditures remaining after such deduction shall be amortized under paragraph (1)(B).
.
Conforming amendments
Part VIII of subchapter B of chapter 1 is amended by striking section 248.
Section 56(g)(4)(D)(ii) is amended by striking Sections 173 and 248
and inserting Section 173
.
Section 170(b)(2)(D)(ii) is amended by striking (except section 248)
.
Section 312(n)(3) is amended by striking Sections 173 and 248
and inserting Sections 173 and 195
.
Section 535(b)(3) is amended by striking (except section 248)
.
Section 545(b)(3) is amended by striking (except section 248)
.
Section 834(c)(7) is amended by striking (except section 248)
.
Section 852(b)(2)(C) is amended by striking (except section 248)
.
Section 857(b)(2)(A) is amended by striking (except section 248)
.
Section 1363(b)(3) is amended by striking section 248
and inserting section 195
.
Section 1375(b)(1)(B)(i) is amended by striking (other than the deduction allowed by section 248, relating to organization expenditures)
.
The table of sections for part VIII of subchapter B of chapter 1 is amended by striking the item relating to section 248.
Section 709 is amended to read as follows:
Treatment of syndication fees
No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter to a partnership or to any partner of the partnership for any amounts paid or incurred to promote the sale of (or to sell) an interest in the partnership.
.
The item relating to section 709 in the table of sections for part I of subchapter K of chapter 1 is amended by striking organization and
.
Clerical amendments
The heading of section 195 is amended by striking expenditures
and inserting and organizational expenditures
.
The item relating to section 195 in the table of contents of part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 195. Start-up and organizational expenditures.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to elections which first take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Accounting methods
Modifications of gross receipts test for use of cash method of accounting by corporations and partnerships
Modifications of gross receipts test
In general
So much of section 448(c) as precedes paragraph (2) is amended to read as follows:
Gross receipts test
In general
A corporation or partnership meets the gross receipts test of this subsection for any taxable year if the average annual gross receipts of such entity for the 3-taxable-year period ending with the taxable year which precedes such taxable year does not exceed the applicable dollar limit.
.
Applicable dollar limit
Subsection (c) of section 448 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Applicable dollar limit
In general
The applicable dollar limit is $15,000,000.
Adjustment for inflation
In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2018, the $15,000,000 amount under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting calendar year 2017
for calendar year 1992
in subparagraph (B) thereof.
.
Change in method of accounting
Paragraph (7) of section 448(d) is amended—
by striking In the case of
and all that follows up to subparagraph (A) and inserting: If a taxpayer changes its method of accounting because the taxpayer is prohibited from using the cash receipts and disbursement method of accounting by reason of subsection (a) or is no longer prohibited from using such method by reason of such subsection—
, and
by inserting and
at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking , and
at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting a period, and by striking subparagraph (C).
Conforming amendments
Paragraph (3) of section 448(b) is amended to read as follows:
Entities satisfying gross receipts test
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall not apply to any corporation or partnership for any taxable year if such entity meets the gross receipts test of subsection (c) for the taxable year.
.
Clause (iii) of section 172(b)(1)(E) is amended by inserting , applied by substituting
after $5,000,000
for the applicable dollar limit
in paragraph (1) thereof,section 448(c)
.
Application of modifications to farming corporations
In general
Paragraph (1) of section 447(d) is amended to read as follows:
In general
A corporation meets the requirements of this subsection for any taxable year with respect to its gross receipts if the corporation meets the gross receipts test of section 448(c) for the taxable year.
.
Family corporations
Paragraph (2) of section 447(d) is amended—
by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
In general
In the case of a family corporation, in applying section 448(c) for purposes of paragraph (1)—
paragraph (1) of section 448(c) shall be applied by substituting the applicable family corporation limit for the applicable dollar limit, and
the rules of subparagraph (B) shall apply in computing gross receipts.
,
Clause (i) of section 447(d)(2)(B) is amended by striking the last sentence of paragraph (1)
and inserting paragraph (2) of section 448(c)
, and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Applicable family corporation limit
In general
The applicable family corporation limit is $25,000,000.
Adjustment for inflation
In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2018, the $25,000,000 amount under clause (i) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting calendar year 2017
for calendar year 1992
in subparagraph (B) thereof.
.
Change in method of accounting
Section 447(f) is amended—
by striking In the case of
and all that follows up to paragraph (1) and inserting: If a taxpayer changes its method of accounting because the taxpayer is required to use an accrual method of accounting by reason of subsection (a) or is no longer required to use such method by reason of such subsection—
, and
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting:
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer, and
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Clarification of inventory accounting rules for small businesses
Clarification of inventory rules
In general
Section 471 is amended by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d) and by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:
Small business taxpayers not required To use inventories
In general
A qualified taxpayer shall not be required to use inventories under this section for a taxable year.
Treatment of taxpayers not using inventories
A qualified taxpayer who is not required under this subsection to use inventories with respect to any property for a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, may treat such property as an incidental material or supply for such taxable year.
Qualified taxpayer
For purposes of this subsection, the term qualified taxpayer means, with respect to any taxable year, a taxpayer who meets the gross receipts test of section 448(c) for the taxable year. Such term shall not include a tax shelter prohibited from using the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting under section 448(a)(3).
Coordination with section 481
If a taxpayer changes its method of accounting because the taxpayer is not required to use inventories by reason of paragraph (1) or is required to use inventories because such paragraph no longer applies to the taxpayer—
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer, and
such change shall be treated as made with the consent of the Secretary.
.
Conforming amendment
Subsection (c) of section 263A is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Exclusion from inventory rules
Nothing in this section shall require the use of inventories for any taxable year by a qualified taxpayer (within the meaning of section 471(c)(3)) who is not required to use inventories under section 471 for such taxable year.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Modification of rules for capitalization and inclusion in inventory costs of certain expenses
Gross receipts exception To apply to property produced by the taxpayer
Section 263A(b) is amended by striking all that follows paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraphs:
Property acquired for resale
Real or personal property described in section 1221(a)(1) which is acquired by the taxpayer for resale.
Exception for small businesses
This section shall not apply to any property produced or acquired by the taxpayer during any taxable year if the taxpayer is a qualified taxpayer (as defined in section 471(c)(3)) for the taxable year.
Films, sound recordings, books, etc
For purposes of this subsection, the term tangible personal property
shall include a film, sound recording, video tape, book, or similar property.
Coordination with section 481
If a taxpayer changes its method of accounting because this section does not apply to the taxpayer by reason of the exception under paragraph (3) or this section applies to the taxpayer because such exception no longer applies to the taxpayer—
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer, and
such change shall be treated as made with the consent of the Secretary.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Increase in gross receipts test for construction contract exception to percentage of completion method
Increase
In general
Clause (ii) of section 460(e)(1)(B) is amended to read as follows:
who meets the gross receipts test of section 448(c) for the taxable year in which such contract is entered into.
.
Conforming amendments
Paragraph (2) of section 460(e) is amended to read as follows:
Additional rules for determining gross receipts
For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations which provide attribution rules similar to section 448(c) and which take into account gross receipts of taxpayers who engage in construction contracts through partnerships, joint ventures, and corporations and which would otherwise not be taken into account under such section.
.
Section 460(e) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively.
The last sentence of section 56(a)(3) is amended by striking section 460(e)(6)
and inserting section 460(e)(5)
.
Coordination with section 481
Section 460(e), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following:
Coordination with section 481
If a taxpayer changes its method of accounting because subsections (a), (b), and (c) (1) and (2) do not apply by reason of the exception under paragraph (1)(B) or such subsections apply to the taxpayer because such exception no longer applies to the taxpayer—
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer,
such change shall be treated as made with the consent of the Secretary, and
such change shall be permitted only on a cut-off basis and no adjustments under section 481(a) shall be made.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall apply to contracts entered into after December 31, 2017, in taxable years ending after such date.
Modifications of expensing and cost recovery rules
Expensing rules
Modifications of rules for expensing depreciable business assets
Increase in limitation
Dollar limitation
Section 179(b)(1) by striking $500,000
and inserting $2,000,000
.
Reduction in limitation
Section 179(b)(2) is amended by striking $2,000,000
and inserting $3,000,000
.
Inflation adjustments
In general
Subparagraph (A) of section 179(b)(6) is amended—
by striking 2015
and inserting 2018
, and
by striking calendar year 2014
in clause (ii) and inserting calendar year 2017
.
Sport utility vehicles
Section 179(b)(6) is amended—
by striking paragraphs (1) and (2)
in subparagraph (A) and inserting paragraphs (1), (2), and (5)(A)
, and
by inserting (($100 in the case of any increase in the amount under paragraph (5)(A))
after $10,000
in subparagraph (B).
Section 179 property To include qualified real property
In general
Subparagraph (B) of section 179(d)(1) is amended to read as follows:
which is—
section 1245 property (as defined in section 1245(a)(3)), or
qualified real property (as defined in subsection (f)), and
.
Qualified real property defined
Section 179(f) is amended to read as follows:
Qualified real property
For purposes of this subsection, the term qualified real property means—
any qualified improvement property described in section 168(k)(3), and
any of the following improvements to nonresidential real property placed in service after the date such property was first placed in service:
Roofs.
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning property.
Fire protection and alarm systems.
Security systems.
.
Repeal of exclusion for certain property
The last sentence of section 179(d)(1) is amended by inserting (other than paragraph (2) thereof)
after section 50(b)
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Cost recovery rules
50-percent expensing made permanent
In general
Section 168(k)(2) is amended to read as follows:
Qualified property
For purposes of this subsection—
In general
The term qualified property
means property—
to which this section applies which has a recovery period of 20 years or less,
which is computer software (as defined in section 167(f)(1)(B)) for which a deduction is allowable under section 167(a) without regard to this subsection,
which is water utility property, or
which is qualified improvement property, and
the original use of which commences with the taxpayer.
Exception for alternative depreciation property
The term qualified property
shall not include any property to which the alternative depreciation system under subsection (g) applies, determined—
without regard to paragraph (7) of subsection (g) (relating to election to have system apply), and
after application of section 280F(b) (relating to listed property with limited business use).
Special rules
Sale-leasebacks
For purposes of clause (ii) and subparagraph (A)(ii), if property is—
originally placed in service by a person, and
sold and leased back by such person within 3 months after the date such property was originally placed in service,
Syndication
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), if—
property is originally placed in service by the lessor of such property,
such property is sold by such lessor or any subsequent purchaser within 3 months after the date such property was originally placed in service (or, in the case of multiple units of property subject to the same lease, within 3 months after the date the final unit is placed in service, so long as the period between the time the first unit is placed in service and the time the last unit is placed in service does not exceed 12 months), and
the user of such property after the last sale during such 3-month period remains the same as when such property was originally placed in service,
Coordination with section 280F
For purposes of section 280F—
Automobiles
In the case of a passenger automobile (as defined in section 280F(d)(5)) which is qualified property, the Secretary shall increase the limitation under section 280F(a)(1)(A)(i) to an amount equal to the lesser of—
50 percent of the adjusted basis of such automobile, or
$25,000.
Listed property
The deduction allowable under paragraph (1) shall be taken into account in computing any recapture amount under section 280F(b)(2).
Inflation adjustment
In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2018, the $25,000 amount in clause (i) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the automobile price inflation adjustment determined under section 280F(d)(7)(B)(i) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins by substituting 2017
for 1987
in subclause (II) thereof.
Deduction allowed in computing minimum tax
For purposes of determining alternative minimum taxable income under section 55, the deduction under section 167 for qualified property shall be determined without regard to any adjustment under section 56.
.
Conforming amendments
Amendments related to 50-percent expensing
Each of the following provisions are amended by striking (2)(F)
each place it appears and inserting (2)(D)
:
Subparagraphs (A)(i), (B)(i), and (D)(ii)(I) of section 168(k)(4).
Section 168(k)(7).
Section 168(k)(5) is amended—
in subparagraph (A)—
by striking before January 1, 2020
, and
by striking before such date
,
in subparagraph (B)(ii)—
by inserting crop or
after will have more than one
, and
by inserting a marketable crop or yield of
after begins bearing
,
by striking (2)(G)
in subparagraph (E) and inserting (2)(E)
, and
by striking subparagraph (F).
Section 168(k), as amended by subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (D), is amended by striking paragraph (6) and by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).
Section 168(k)(7), as in effect before the amendments made by subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (C), is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2)(F)
and inserting paragraphs (1), (2)(F), and (4)
.
Section 168(k) is amended by striking acquired after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2020
in the heading thereof.
Subsections (e)(7)(B), (k)(4), (l)(3)(A), (m)(2)(B)(i), and (n)(2)(B)(i) of section 168 are each amended by striking bonus depreciation
each place it appears in the text and headings thereof and inserting 50-percent expensing
.
Other conforming amendments
Section 168(l)(3)(B) is amended by striking subsection (k)(2)(D)
and inserting subsection (k)(2)(B)
.
Section 168(l)(4) is amended by striking subsection (k)(2)(E)
and inserting subsection (k)(2)(C)
.
Section 168(l)(5) is amended by striking subsection (k)(2)(G)
and inserting subsection (k)(2)(E)
.
Section 460(c)(6)(B) is amended by striking which—
and all that follows and inserting which has a recovery period of 7 years or less.
.
Effective dates
In general
The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2017, in taxable years ending after such date.
Certain technical corrections
The amendments made by subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii) shall apply to specified plants planted or grafted after December 31, 2015.
The amendment made by subsection (b)(1)(D) shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2015, in taxable years ending after such date.
Modifications of treatment of certain farm property
Treatment of certain farm property as 5-Year property
Clause (vii) of section 168(e)(3)(B) is amended by striking after December 31, 2008, and which is placed in service before January 1, 2010
.
Repeal of required use of 150-Percent declining balance method
Section 168(b)(2) is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2017, in taxable years ending after such date.
Secretarial requirement to reexamine economic depreciation for classes of depreciable property
In general
Paragraph (1) of section 168(i) is amended to read as follows:
Class life
In general
Except as provided in this section, the term class life
means the class life (if any) which would be applicable with respect to any property as of January 1, 1986, under subsection (m) of section 167 (determined without regard to paragraph (4) and as if the taxpayer had made an election under such subsection). The reference in this paragraph to subsection (m) of section 167 shall be treated as a reference to such subsection as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990.
Secretarial authority to modify Rev. Proc. 87–56
In general
The Secretary, through the Office of Tax Analysis and in consultation with the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce, shall conduct an on-going study to—
determine, and develop a schedule of, the economic depreciation of the major categories of depreciable property (other than specified property) to approximate constant straight-line depreciation, and
develop recommendations regarding the proper economic depreciation for specified property.
Report
Not later than December 31, 2020, and not less frequently than every 5 years after such date, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives—
any schedule developed under clause (i)(I), and
any recommendations developed under clause (i)(II).
Effective date of schedules
Any schedule developed under clause (i)(I) and submitted to Congress under clause (ii) shall take effect with respect to property placed in service on or after first day of the first calendar year beginning at least 1 year after the date such schedule is submitted.
Treatment under Congressional Review Act
For purposes of applying chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, any schedule developed and submitted under subparagraph (B) shall be treated as a major rule.
Specified property
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term specified property means—
any property which is classified under subsection (e)(3) (other than subparagraph (C)(v) thereof), or
any nonresidential real property, residential rental property, railroad grading or tunnel bore, or water utility property.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
Modifications to depreciation limitations on luxury automobiles and personal use property
Luxury automobiles
In general
280F(a)(1)(A) is amended—
by striking $2,560
in clause (i) and inserting $10,000
,
by striking $4,100
in clause (ii) and inserting $16,000
,
by striking $2,450
in clause (iii) and inserting $9,600
, and
by striking $1,475
in clause (iv) and inserting $5,760
.
Conforming amendments
Clause (ii) of section 280F(a)(1)(B) is amended by striking $1,475
in the text and heading and inserting $5,760
.
Paragraph (7) of section 280F(d) is amended—
by striking 1988
in subparagraph (A) and inserting 2018
, and
by striking 1987
in subparagraph (B)(i)(II) and inserting 2017
.
Removal of computer equipment from listed property
In general
Section 280F(d)(4)(A) is amended by inserting and
at the end of clause (iii) and by striking clause (iv).
Conforming amendment
Section 280F(d)(4) is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B).
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2017, in taxable years ending after such date.
Reduction in amortization period for intangibles
In general
Section 197(a) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: In the case of such an intangible acquired after the date of the enactment of the INVEST Act of 2017, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting
.10-year period
for 15-year period
.
Application of anti-Churning rules
Section 197(f)(9) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Application to INVEST Act changes
If subparagraph (A) or (F) would apply to any section 197 intangible if—
the date of the enactment of the INVEST Act of 2017
were substituted for the date of the enactment of this section
each place it appears in each such subparagraph, and
May 17, 2017
were substituted for July 25, 1991
each place it appears in subparagraph (A),
.
Conforming amendment
Section 197(e)(4)(D)(i) is amended by inserting (10 years in the case of a right acquired after the date of the enactment of the INVEST Act of 2017)
after 15 years
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section apply to acquisitions after the date of the enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date.