Ron Paul Quotes.com 2009 Ron Paul Chapter 55 Ron Paul Quotes.com: CONSUMER DEBT Home Page   Contents   Cached from Ron Paul’s Congressional website. Congressional Record   Cached

CONSUMER DEBT HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, May 14, 2009 2009 Ron Paul 55:1 Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation to help Americans struggling with consumer debt by excluding discharges of debt from the definition of taxable income. Currently, when someone is relieved of consumer debt, such as credit card debt, they are taxed on the forgiven debt. So, for example, if a credit card company agrees to forgive $12,000 of a $15,000 debt, the debtor’s taxable income increases by $12,000 – even though the debtor does not actually have an additional $12,000 in his or her bank account. 2009 Ron Paul 55:2 The only way for Americans to avoid turning cancelation of debt into a taxable event is by declaring bankruptcy or insolvency. Thus, the tax code’s perverse incentives could cause more Americans to declare bankruptcy, which is neither in the best interest of the debtor or their creditors. 2009 Ron Paul 55:3 Madam Speaker, the tax code should not punish Americans who work out a settlement with their creditors that enables them to avoid bankruptcy. This is unfair to both the debtors and their creditors. I therefore encourage my colleagues to cosponsor my legislation removing discharged debt from the definition of taxable income. 2009 Ron Paul 55:4 Previous   Next Home Page    Contents    Concordance    Links