II
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 955
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 27, 2017
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Ms. Warren, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Booker, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Reed, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Markey, Mr. Franken, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Duckworth, and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To ensure high-income earners pay a fair share of Federal taxes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Paying a Fair Share Act of 2017
.
Fair share tax on high-income taxpayers
In general
Subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new part:
Fair share tax on high-income taxpayers
Sec. 59A. Fair share tax.
Fair share tax
General rule
Phase-in of tax
In the case of any high-income taxpayer, there is hereby imposed for a taxable year (in addition to any other tax imposed by this subtitle) a tax equal to the product of—
the amount determined under paragraph (2), and
a fraction (not to exceed 1)—
the numerator of which is the excess of—
the taxpayer's adjusted gross income, over
the dollar amount in effect under subsection (c)(1), and
the denominator of which is the dollar amount in effect under subsection (c)(1).
Amount of tax
The amount of tax determined under this paragraph is an amount equal to the excess (if any) of—
the tentative fair share tax for the taxable year, over
the excess of—
the sum of—
the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) for the taxable year, determined without regard to any tax liability determined under this section,
the tax imposed by section 55 for the taxable year, plus
the payroll tax for the taxable year, over
the credits allowable under part IV of subchapter A (other than sections 27(a), 31, and 34).
Tentative fair share tax
For purposes of this section—
In general
The tentative fair share tax for the taxable year is 30 percent of the excess of—
the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer, over
the modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year.
Modified charitable contribution deduction
For purposes of paragraph (1)—
In general
The modified charitable contribution deduction for any taxable year is an amount equal to the amount which bears the same ratio to the deduction allowable under section 170 (section 642(c) in the case of a trust or estate) for such taxable year as—
the amount of itemized deductions allowable under the regular tax (as defined in section 55) for such taxable year, determined after the application of section 68, bears to
such amount, determined before the application of section 68.
Taxpayer must itemize
In the case of any individual who does not elect to itemize deductions for the taxable year, the modified charitable contribution deduction shall be zero.
High-Income taxpayer
For purposes of this section—
In general
The term high-income taxpayer means, with respect to any taxable year, any taxpayer (other than a corporation) with an adjusted gross income for such taxable year in excess of $1,000,000 (50 percent of such amount in the case of a married individual who files a separate return).
Inflation adjustment
In general
In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2018, the $1,000,000 amount under paragraph (1) 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, determined by substituting calendar year 2017
for calendar year 1992
in subparagraph (B) thereof.
Rounding
If any amount as adjusted under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $10,000, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10,000.
Payroll tax
For purposes of this section, the payroll tax for any taxable year is an amount equal to the excess of—
the taxes imposed on the taxpayer under sections 1401, 1411, 3101, 3201, and 3211(a) (to the extent such tax is attributable to the rate of tax in effect under section 3101) with respect to such taxable year or wages or compensation received during such taxable year, over
the deduction allowable under section 164(f) for such taxable year.
Special rule for estates and trusts
For purposes of this section, in the case of an estate or trust, adjusted gross income shall be computed in the manner described in section 67(e).
Not treated as tax imposed by this chapter for certain purposes
The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax imposed by this chapter for purposes of determining the amount of any credit under this chapter (other than the credit allowed under section 27(a)) or for purposes of section 55.
.
Clerical amendment
The table of parts for subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
Part VII—Fair share tax on high-Income taxpayers
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Sense of the Senate regarding tax reform
It is the sense of the Senate that—
Congress should enact tax reform that repeals unfair and unnecessary tax loopholes and expenditures, simplifies the system for millions of taxpayers and businesses, and makes sure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share; and
this Act is an interim step that can be done quickly and serve as a floor on taxes for the highest-income taxpayers, cut the deficit by billions of dollars a year, and help encourage more fundamental reform of the tax system.