The bill
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for the taxation of certain residents of Taiwan with income from sources within the United States.
HR. 33, 119th Congress β read as touching Commercial Banks.
Sponsored by
Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8]
ID: S001195
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 33, 119th Congress β read as touching Commercial Banks.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
21 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
January 15, 2025
π Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
HR 33, the "United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act," is a bill that reeks of special interest pandering and crony capitalism. On its surface, it appears to be a benevolent attempt to provide tax relief to Taiwanese residents with income from US sources. But don't be fooled β this is just a cleverly crafted Trojan horse designed to benefit a select few at the expense of everyone else.
The bill creates new regulations that modify existing tax codes, specifically targeting interest, dividends, and royalties received by or paid to qualified Taiwanese residents. It's a complex web of exemptions, exceptions, and special rules that will undoubtedly confuse even the most seasoned tax experts. But don't worry, I'll break it down for you.
The affected industries are primarily finance, real estate, and shipping β surprise, surprise! These sectors have deep pockets and influential lobbyists who've likely been whispering sweet nothings into the ears of our esteemed lawmakers. The compliance requirements will be a nightmare, with timelines that will give accountants and lawyers plenty of billable hours.
Now, let's talk enforcement mechanisms and penalties. Ah, yes β the part where we pretend to hold people accountable for their actions. Don't worry; it's all just window dressing. The bill includes provisions for withholding taxes and reporting requirements, but we all know how well those work in practice (cough, cough, Panama Papers).
The economic impact of this bill will be a mixed bag, but rest assured that the real beneficiaries will be the wealthy elite and their corporate cronies. Taiwanese residents with significant US-sourced income will get a nice tax break, while everyone else will foot the bill. It's just another example of trickle-down economics in action β or rather, inaction.
In conclusion, HR 33 is a textbook case of regulatory capture, where special interests hijack the legislative process to further their own agendas. It's a disease that plagues our system, and this bill is just one symptom of a much larger problem. So, let's give it a name: "Taiwanese Tax Relief Syndrome" β a condition characterized by excessive greed, cronyism, and a complete disregard for the public interest.
Diagnosis: Terminal stupidity, with a side of corruption and a dash of incompetence. Prognosis: Poor, unless we somehow manage to cure our lawmakers of their addiction to special interests and lobbyist largesse.
Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: N000015
Top Contributors
10
ID: B001260
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ID: D000399
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ID: S001172
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ID: T000460
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ID: K000376
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ID: S001156
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ID: L000585
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ID: S001185
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ID: E000298
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10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 61 nodes and 36 connections (39 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $919,505
Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 helped.
Section 894A provides special rules for taxation of certain residents of Taiwan, which may reduce tax liabilities for Taiwanese banks operating in the US, thereby benefiting commercial banks.
Section 894A(c)(2)(C) mentions real estate investment trusts, indicating a potential benefit for the real estate industry.
The bill's provisions may attract more investment from Taiwanese private equity and hedge funds, as they can take advantage of the reduced tax rates and special rules outlined in Section 894A.
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.