Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008
Sponsor: CHARLES RANGEL (D-NY)
Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the standards for imposing penalties on tax return preparers for understatements of tax to require: (1) substantial authority for a position with respect to an item on a tax return if such position was not disclosed with the return; and (2) a reasonable basis for a position that was disclosed with the return. Requires tax return preparers to have a reasonable belief that a position with respect to a tax shelter or a reportable transaction (a transaction having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) will more likely than not be sustained on its merits. (Sec. 3) Removes certain limitations on the tax deduction for employee use of cellular telephones.
Taxation Topic assigned by the Congressional Research Service.
Who won, and how much of the country was behind them
The dotted gap is 3.4% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.
| Side | Outcome | Votes | Share of U.S. adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nay | Won | 210 | 46.6% |
| Yea | Lost | 210 | 49.9% |
| Not represented on this question | No position taken | 0 | 3.4% |