BILL NUMBER: SB 97	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Calderon

                        JANUARY 26, 2009

   An act to amend Section 17144.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code,
relating to taxation, to take effect immediately, tax levy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 97, as introduced, Calderon. Taxation: cancellation of
indebtedness: mortgage debt forgiveness.
   The Personal Income Tax Law, in modified conformity to federal
income tax laws, requires a borrower to include in his or her income,
with certain exceptions, the amount of debt canceled or discharged,
as specified.
   The Personal Income Tax Law conforms to specified provisions of
the federal Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, relating to
the exclusion of the discharge of qualified principal residence
indebtedness, as defined, from a taxpayer's income if that debt is
discharged after January 1, 2007, and before January 1, 2009, as
provided.
   This bill would extend the operation of those provisions to debt
that is discharged after January 1, 2007, and before January 1, 2010.

   This bill would also provide conformity to specified provisions of
the federal Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 relating to
the exclusion of the discharge of qualified principal residence
indebtedness, as defined, from a taxpayer's income if that debt is
discharged on or after January 1, 2009.
   This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 17144.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is
amended to read:
   17144.5.  (a) Section 108 of the Internal Revenue Code, relating
to income from discharge of indebtedness, as amended by Section 2 of
the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-142)
 and by Section 303 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
of 2008 (Public Law 110-343)  , shall apply, except as otherwise
provided. 
   (b) Section 108(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by
Section 2 of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007
(Public Law 110-142), is modified by substituting the phrase "January
1, 2009" for "January 1, 2010" contained therein.  

   (c) 
    (b)  Section 108(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code,
as added by Section 2 of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of
2007 (Public Law 110-142), is additionally modified to provide that
the amount excluded from gross income shall not exceed $250,000
($125,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate
return). 
   (d) 
    (c)  Section 108(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, as
added by Section 2 of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of
2007 (Public Law 110-142), is modified by substituting the phrase "
(within the meaning of section 163(h)(3)(B), applied by substituting
'$800,000 ($400,000' for '$1,000,000 ($500,000' in clause (ii)
thereof)" for the phrase "(within the meaning of section 163(h)(3)
(B), applied by substituting '$2,000,000 ($1,000,000' for '$1,000,000
($500,000' in clause (ii) thereof)" contained therein. 
   (e) 
    (d)  This section shall apply to discharges of
indebtedness occurring on or after January 1, 2007, and,
notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no penalties or
interest shall be due with respect to the discharge of qualified
principal residence indebtedness during the 2007 taxable year
regardless of whether or not the taxpayer reports the discharge on
his or her return for the 2007 taxable year. 
   (e) The changes made to this section by the act adding this
subdivision shall apply to discharges of indebtedness occurring on or
after January 1, 2009, and, notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, no penalties or interest shall be due with respect to the
discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness during the
2009 taxable year, regardless of whether or not the taxpayer reports
the discharge on his or her return for the 2009 taxable year. 
  SEC. 2.  This act provides for a tax levy within the meaning of
Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect.