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H.R.8440 / 116th Congress

Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 29, 2020

Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020

This bill sets forth tax relief provisions for taxpayers residing in a disaster zone. Specifically, the bill

allows penalty-free qualified disaster distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans up to $100,000,

allows recontributions of distributions for home purchases cancelled due to disasters,

increases to $100,000 the limit on loans from retirement plans not treated as distributions,

allows an employee retention tax credit for 40% of wages paid by employers affected by a disaster,

expands eligibility for disaster-related personal casualty losses,

permits the calculation of the earned income tax credit based upon income earned prior to 2020, and

suspends the limitation on corporate charitable contributions.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] · D–CA

Committees

  • Small Business Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. 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: Jan 13, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.8440 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.8440 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.8440 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.8440 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.

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