The Workers Severance Tax Reduction Act of 2009 (H.R. 154) - status?

H.R. 154 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on January 9, 2009. As best I can tell no hearings have been held or scheduled for that bill. This suggests the bill is dead.

For reference, you can follow the progress of bills at

The information I have gathered states: "Workers Severance Tax Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of individual taxpayers severance payments up to $150,000 for separation from employment due to a workforce reduction. Terminates such exclusion after 2010."

It has been my experience that phrases of art such as "Tax Reduction" and "Tax Simplification" are mainstays in the repertoire of the confidence game profession.

To paraphrase a quote often read here: Whenever someone says "Tax Reduction", I reach under my pillow and release the safety catch on my Luger.

If you want to see Tax Reduction, increase the standard deduction to $25,000 per spouses and to $15,000 per dependent.

Dick

"Dick Adams" wrote

Wow. All I need are multiple spouses and I can save even more?

Somehow I doubt that. But it's good for a chuckle.

My position has always been that the general rule should be that government has no business questioning the cohabitation practices of individuals.

But it ain't easy. Consider that for every wife you have, you get an additional mother-in-law.

In my next life, I will only marry orphans.

Dick

"Dick Adams" wrote

Oh, the horrors.