United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

HR 4397 — No Taxpayer Bailout for Defamation Act

Last action — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to deny tax deductions for certain settlements paid in connection with defamation.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow tax deductions for certain defamation-related settlements and attorney's fees.

  • Section 162

    (s) Certain Payments Related to Defamation.--No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for-- (1) any settlement or payment related to defamation if the taxpayer has admitted to guilt or culpability with respect to such settlement or payment, or (2) attorney's fees related to such settlement or payment.

    This new provision prohibits deductions for defamation settlements if the taxpayer admits guilt, as well as for related attorney's fees.

  • Section 162

    subsection (s) → subsection (t)

    This change renumbers the existing subsection (s) to (t) to make room for the new subsection (s) regarding defamation-related payments.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

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Subjects

taxation
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 4397 do?
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to deny tax deductions for certain settlements paid in connection with defamation.
Who sponsors HR 4397?
HR 4397 is sponsored by Boyle, Brendan F. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 4397?
This bill died with 118th 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 4397?
Track HR 4397 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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