Although it’s not ideal and expires in just two weeks, we are glad to report that the tax extenders bill finally passed in the Senate last night by a 76-16 vote and is on its way to the President’s desk.
Among the 55 provisions included in the bill are the reduced five-year built-in gains holding period and the basis adjustment fix for charitable contributions. The package, however, is a one year retroactive extension of the expired provisions through 2014, and will therefore expire at year’s end.
Interestingly, Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) voted against the bill, as did Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), highlighting the ridiculous nature of a one-year retroactive extension for tax policy. (The 16 “no” votes were a bipartisan affair: 8 members of each party opposed the bill.) Speaking last night, Chairman Wyden said:
“This tax bill doesn’t have the shelf life of a carton of eggs…the only new effects of this legislation apply to the next two weeks.”
Sen. Portman also took to the floor to vent his frustration:
“This is ridiculous because we’re not extending it beyond the tax year and by the time we get back here, it will already be expired for a week or two…it is a failure of Washington again to get its act together and do what should be done.”
That said, we are pleased our S-CORP provisions were included in the package and expect to pick up again next year, as the tax policy conversation will have an early start. Congress is now adjourned for the holidays and will start up again January 6th.
Our thanks go out to all our S-CORP champions, both on and off the Hill, for your continued commitment to the Main Street business cause. We hope that you have very happy holidays and we look forward to our work together in 2015!