[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1060 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1060
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against
income tax for the purchase of hearing aids.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 18, 2005
Mr. Coleman (for himself, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Dayton, and Mr.
Harkin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against
income tax for the purchase of hearing aids.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit
Act''.
SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR HEARING AIDS FOR SENIORS AND DEPENDENTS.
(a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25B the
following new section:
``SEC. 25C. CREDIT FOR HEARING AIDS.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an individual, there
shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter an
amount equal to the amount paid during the taxable year, not
compensated by insurance or otherwise, by the taxpayer for the purchase
of any qualified hearing aid.
``(b) Maximum Amount.--The amount allowed as a credit under
subsection (a) shall not exceed $500 per qualified hearing aid.
``(c) Qualified Hearing Aid.--For purposes of this section, the
term `qualified hearing aid' means a hearing aid--
``(1) which is described in section 874.3300 of title 21,
Code of Federal Regulations, and is authorized under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for commercial
distribution, and
``(2) which is intended for use--
``(A) by the taxpayer, but only if the taxpayer (or
the spouse intending to use the hearing aid, in the
case of a joint return) is age 55 or older, or
``(B) by an individual with respect to whom the
taxpayer, for the taxable year, is allowed a deduction
under section 151(c) (relating to deduction for
personal exemptions for dependents).
``(d) Election Once Every 5 Years.--This section shall apply to any
individual for any taxable year only if such individual elects (at such
time and in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe)
to have this section apply for such taxable year. An election to have
this section apply may not be made for any taxable year if such
election is in effect with respect to such individual for any of the 4
taxable years preceding such taxable year.
``(e) Denial of Double Benefit.--No credit shall be allowed under
subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is
allowed under any other provision of this chapter.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart A of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 25B the following new
item:
``Sec. 25C. Credit for hearing aids.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5438-5439)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5439)
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