That was easier than I thought it might be.
The House actually began and completed consideration today of
Representatives approved the measure by a vote of 241 to 181.
Winners: These extenders, as I noted in my post Tax break extenders on tap earlier today, include several that are popular with us rank-and-file taxpayers:
- Deduction of state and local general sales taxes,
- Additional standard deduction for real property taxes,
- Deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses,
- Deduction by educators for certain classroom expenses, and
- Direct tax-free transfer of IRA distributions to a charity.
Losers: Not as pleased, however, are money managers.
One of the ways to pay for the extended tax breaks is an increase on taxes charged on investment carried interest, also discussed in my earlier post.
Private equity and venture firms that would be hit hardest by the hike of the tax rate from 15 percent to 35 percent are now looking to the Senate for help. In prior years, that body has deleted similar provisions from extender bills.
This year, however, there's the worry that the crush of year-end legislation might make it too tempting to simply move the bill along.
"At three in the morning when you've been working on health care for
months and you just want to go home, you might just throw your hands up
and say, 'We'll take care of this later'," said Mark Heesen, president
of the National Venture Capital Association.
Stay tuned.
Related posts:
Want to tell your friends about this blog post? Click the Tweet This or Digg This buttons below or use the Share This icon to spread the word via e-mail, Facebook and other popular applications. Thanks!
