PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.1307 / 108th Congress

Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Official summary

Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · Mar 20, 2003

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the House on March 18, 2003. However, because action occurred on the measure, the summary has been expanded.)Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a member of the uniformed services on "qualified official extended duty" (any duty in excess of 180 days while serving at a duty station which is at least 150 miles from the principal residence or while residing under Government orders in Government quarters), to extend for five years the five-year period utilized in determining full exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence.Includes among the uniformed services: (1) the armed forces; (2) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (3) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.Makes such provisions effective as if included in section 312 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.States that if a refund or credit resulting from such exclusion is prevented before the close of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res judicata), such refund or credit may be allowed if claimed before the close of such period.(Sec. 3) Excludes from gross income as a qualified military benefit the amount of the death gratuity payable under chapter 75 of title 10 of the United States Code, effective with respect to deaths occurring after September 10, 2001.(Sec. 4) Exempts amounts received under the Homeowners Assistance Program from inclusion as gross income.(Sec. 5) Extends combat zone filing rules to contingency operations.(Sec. 6) Includes ancestors or lineal descendants of past or present members of the armed forces or of cadets as qualifying members of veterans' organizations for purposes of such organizations' tax-exempt status determination.(Sec. 7) Includes dependent care assistance provided under a dependent care assistance program for a member of the uniformed services by reason of such member's status or service as an income-excludable qualified military benefit.(Sec. 8) Exempts distributions from an education individual retirement account from the ten percent additional tax for non-educational use: (1) if made for an account holder at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and (2) to the extent that the distribution does not exceed the costs of advanced education.(Sec. 9) Provides a deduction (limited to $1,500) for itemizers and non-itemizers for unreimbursed overnight travel, meals, and lodging expenses of National Guard and Reserve members who must travel more than 100 miles away from home and stay overnight as part of their official duties.(Sec. 10) Provides that amounts transferred to any trust fund under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act shall be determined as if this Act had not enacted.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Thomas, William M. [R-CA-22] · R–CA

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    2. Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 0. Record Vote Number: 110. (text: CR S4490-4495)

      Senate roll call 110 · Individual votes
    3. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 0. Record Vote Number: 110.(text: CR S4490-4495)

      Senate roll call 110 · Individual votes
    4. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4472-4483, S4490-4495)

    5. Received in the Senate.

    6. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    7. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 76). (text: CR 3/19/2003 H1964-1966)

      House roll call 76 · Individual votes
    8. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 76).(text: CR 3/19/2003 H1964-1966)

      House roll call 76 · Individual votes
    9. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)

    10. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

    11. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1307.

    12. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1964-1970)

    13. Mr. Thomas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

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

    15. Introduced in House

    16. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.1307 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.1307 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.1307 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.1307 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources