Sam Johnson Reaction To The IRS Cell-Phone Statement

Statement

Sam Johnson reaction to the IRS cell-phone statement

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) released the following statement after the IRS called on Congress to "make clear that there will be no tax consequence to employers or employees for personal use of work-related devices such as cell phones provided by employers."

Johnson is the author of common-sense legislation, the MOBILE (Modernize Our Bookkeeping In the Law for Employee's) Cell Phone Act, H.R. 690. Introduced with Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), the Act would update the tax treatment of cell phones and Blackberries used for business and repeal the requirement that employers and employees maintain detailed logs of cell phone use. The measure passed the House in the last Congress.

A constituent concern generated the concept for Johnson's legislation. In February 2008, a lawyer from North Texas contacted the Congressman on behalf of a client. The IRS wanted the client to keep records on employee cell phone and Blackberry use or forfeit the deduction. Given the tremendous advances in this technology, Johnson thought the IRS should modernize the tax code as quickly as possible.

"It is days like this when I am reminded that constituent concerns turned into legislation are what make serving in Congress truly worthwhile. I'm glad that the IRS has called on Congress to pass the MOBILE Cell Phone Act. I hope that the Speaker doesn't waste any time and she schedules a vote immediately. Time and technology have marched on," said Johnson.

Source