PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2176-2177)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 3, 2017
Government Settlement Transparency and Reform Act
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand provisions relating to the nondeductibility of fines and penalties to prohibit a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred to, or at the direction of, any governmental entity relating to the violation of any law or the investigation or inquiry into a potential violation of law.
The bill exempts from such prohibition: (1) restitution or amounts paid to come into compliance with any law that was violated or otherwise involved in the investigation or inquiry, (2) amounts paid pursuant to a court order in a suit in which the governmental entity was not a party, and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due.
The bill also imposes new reporting requirements on governmental entities relating to amounts paid as fines or for restitution.
People & committees
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] · D–RI
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2176-2177)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.803 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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