Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Sweeping tax overhaul heads to House and Senate changes

The House and Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Committee unveiled its tax reform package on December 15. The Committee, after a week of intense negotiations, blended the House and Senate versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) into one legislative package. GOP leaders predict that Congress will pass this final version of H.R. 1 before lawmakers leave for their holiday recess. The Conference agreement generally tracks the overall framework for tax reform released by the GOP earlier this year and the House and Senate versions of H.R. 1. This final bill carries a January 1, 2018, effective date for most provisions.

The Conference bill would impact virtually every individual and business on a level not seen in over 30 years. As with any tax bill, however, there will be “winners” and “losers.” The bill calls for lowering the individual and corporate tax rates, repealing countless tax credits and deductions, enhancing the child tax credit, boosting business expensing, and more. The bill also impacts the Affordable Care Act (ACA), effectively repealing the individual shared responsibility requirement.

President Trump has signaled his support for tax legislation before year-end. Few possible roadblocks to ultimately getting a bill to the President’s desk before year-end remain. Prior Senate hold-outs have now signaled their support of the Conference bill, while support in the House appears to be holding steady Nevertheless, some still-hidden parliamentary hurdle or sudden public concern should not be discounted until all the votes are in.

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