Baucus-Grassley Bill Blocks Alternative Minimum Tax For More Working Families, Extends Energy Incentives, Individual And Business Tax Relief

Press Release

BAUCUS-GRASSLEY BILL BLOCKS ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX FOR MORE WORKING FAMILIES, EXTENDS ENERGY INCENTIVES, INDIVIDUAL AND
BUSINESS TAX RELIEF

Finance leaders seek to protect taxpayers from falling victim to AMT, renew alternative energy boosters, college tuition tax deduction, R&D credit

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking
Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) unveiled legislation today to protect millions of Americans from being hit for the first time by the alternative minimum tax, and to extend tax incentives for renewable energy solutions and tax relief for America's working families, including the college tuition tax deduction and the state and local sales tax deduction. The AMT was created in 1969 to keep wealthy people from avoiding taxes altogether, but has started to hit working families instead. The Baucus-Grassley measure will prevent the AMT from applying to those who didn't pay it last year. Extensions of tax provisions that expired at the end of 2007 or are set to expire at the end of 2008 will encourage the production and use of alternative energy, and will translate
into real savings on college tuition, state and local sales taxes, and business investments for individuals and companies alike.

"America needs Congress to act on a host of tax provisions that mean real dollars and cents in their pockets. Whether it's protecting working families from the alternative minimum tax they were never meant to pay, offering a tax credit for energy-saving appliances, or providing a deduction for a big tuition bill, this is tax relief that means something for folks' daily lives," said Baucus. "And the business provisions in this bill, from energy to research
and development, will ultimately help improve our economy and provide job opportunities for Americans right here at home. These are tax cuts worth extending for all Americans."

"This legislation is very important. If expiring tax provisions are not extended, Americans will be hit with big tax increases, and it will happen without a vote of Congress. The last thing families, small businesses and investors need right now is a tax increase, but that's what will happen this year and in 2010 if Congress doesn't act," Grassley said. "The Senate has demonstrated leadership in protecting taxpayers from the unintended consequences of
the Alternative Minimum Tax and in extending existing energy tax provisions. It's time to demonstrate that leadership again."

Descriptions of the bill's elements follow below.

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