HR 640 is sponsored by Doggett, Lloyd (Democratic), Buchanan, Vern (Republican), Kind, Ron (Democratic), Chu, Judy (Democratic), Davis, Danny K. (Democratic), Higgins, Brian (Democratic), Larson, John B. (Democratic), Moore, Gwen (Democratic), Sewell, Terri A. (Democratic), DeFazio, Peter A. (Democratic), Kaptur, Marcy (Democratic), Thompson, Bennie G. (Democratic), and Trone, David J. (Democratic).

Where can I track HR 640?

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United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 12 D · 1 R cosponsors

HR 640 — Student Aid Simplification Act

Last action January 17, 2019 — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

✓
Introduced
2
In Committee
3
Passed House
4
Passed Senate
5
To Executive
6
Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

The bill amends tax code to allow sharing tax information for student aid purposes.

This bill facilitates the sharing of tax return information with the Department of Education to help administer federal student aid programs. It specifically provides guidelines for what information can be shared and how it can be used.

What this means for you

Students: This could simplify the process for students applying for federal financial aid by streamlining data collection.

Summary

Student Aid Simplification Act This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to disclose certain tax return information to the Department of Education (ED) for the purpose of administering financial aid and loan programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. (Under current law, students must obtain their own tax return information from the IRS and submit it to ED.) Upon receiving a request from ED, the IRS must disclose specified tax return information to ED for the purposes of establishing, renewing, administering, and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to income-contingent or income-based repayment programs; the discharge of loans based on a total and permanent disability; determining the eligibility for, and the amount of, federal student financial aid; and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to federal student financial aid programs. ED may only use the disclosed information for the purposes above and for mitigating risks related to the programs. Mitigating risks includes activities related to analyzing or estimating costs, conducting oversight, developing statistics, and reducing improper payments. It does not include conducting criminal investigations or prosecutions. With the consent of the taxpayer, ED may disclose the return information to certain institutions of higher education, state higher education agencies, and scholarship organizations solely for the use in financial aid programs. The bill also specifies notification and reporting requirements related to the disclosures and the implementation of this bill.

Bill Text

Introduced Introduced in House Current html January 17, 2019

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the disclosure of certain tax return information to the Secretary of Education for purposes related to federal student financial aid and income-based repayment programs.

26 U.S.C. 6103(l)

(13) Disclosure of return information to the secretary of education.--

This provision allows the disclosure of certain return information to the Secretary of Education.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)

~~The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Secretary of Education, disclose...~~ → The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Secretary of Education, disclose to officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Education, as specifically authorized and designated by the Secretary of Education...

This expands the scope for whom the Secretary may disclose return information to include specific officers, employees, and contractors.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(A)

(A) Income-contingent or income-based repayment and total and permanent disability discharge.--

This section specifically governs the disclosure for income-based repayment and disability discharge analysis.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(B)

(B) Federal student financial aid.--

This section specifically governs the disclosure for determining eligibility for federal student financial aid.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(C)(i)

~~the programs described in such subparagraphs and for mitigating risks...~~ → only for the purposes and to the extent necessary described in such subparagraphs and for mitigating risks...

This clarifies the permissible uses of the disclosed tax return information.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(C)(ii)

(ii) Mitigating risks.--For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `mitigating risks' means...

This defines 'mitigating risks' related to the usage of disclosed information.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(C)(iii)

(iii) Redisclosure to institutions of higher education, state higher education agencies, and designated scholarship organizations.--

This allows permitted redisclosure of information to certain organizations involved in student aid.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(D)(i)

(i) Notification to congress.--The Secretary and the Secretary of Education shall issue joint notifications...

This sets requirements for notifying Congress before disclosing certain return information.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(D)(ii)

(ii) Public notice and comment.--There shall be a public notice and comment period...

This mandates a public notice and comment period before certain disclosures.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(E)

(E) Notification of taxpayers.--The Secretary of Education may not submit a written request under this paragraph...

This requires taxpayer notification before the request for their tax return information is made.
26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(13)(F)

(F) Additional restriction on disclosure to contractors.--

This adds restrictions on the disclosure to contractors, ensuring only authorized personnel may receive the information.
26 U.S.C. 6103(a)(3)

, (13)(A), (13)(B)

This amendment extends confidentiality requirements to the new disclosures under sections (13)(A) and (13)(B).
26 U.S.C. 6103(p)(4)

(A), (13)(B)

This update aligns other sections of the code with the new disclosure provisions.

Action History

January 17, 2019
Introduced in House
January 17, 2019
Introduced in House
January 17, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
January 17, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 534 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Doggett, Lloyd Democratic

Not signed on (534)

534 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 534 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

taxation education

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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 640 do?: Student Aid Simplification Act This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to disclose certain tax return information to the Department of Education (ED) for the purpose of administering financial aid and loan programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. (Under current law, students must obtain their own tax return information from the IRS and submit it to ED.) Upon receiving a request from ED, the IRS must disclose specified tax return information to ED for the purposes of establishing, renewing, administering, and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to income-contingent or income-based repayment programs; the discharge of loans based on a total and permanent disability; determining the eligibility for, and the amount of, federal student financial aid; and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to federal student financial aid programs. ED may only use the disclosed information for the purposes above and for mitigating risks related to the programs. Mitigating risks includes activities related to analyzing or estimating costs, conducting oversight, developing statistics, and reducing improper payments. It does not include conducting criminal investigations or prosecutions. With the consent of the taxpayer, ED may disclose the return information to certain institutions of higher education, state higher education agencies, and scholarship organizations solely for the use in financial aid programs. The bill also specifies notification and reporting requirements related to the disclosures and the implementation of this bill.
Who sponsors HR 640?: HR 640 is sponsored by Doggett, Lloyd (Democratic), Buchanan, Vern (Republican), Kind, Ron (Democratic), Chu, Judy (Democratic), Davis, Danny K. (Democratic), Higgins, Brian (Democratic), Larson, John B. (Democratic), Moore, Gwen (Democratic), Sewell, Terri A. (Democratic), DeFazio, Peter A. (Democratic), Kaptur, Marcy (Democratic), Thompson, Bennie G. (Democratic), and Trone, David J. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 640?: This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 640?: Track HR 640 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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At a glance

Identifier: HR 640
Jurisdiction: United States
Session: 116th Congress
Type: Bill
Introduced: January 17, 2019
Status: In Committee
Prime sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd

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