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S 159 101th Congress Senate

Family Choice Tax Credit Act of 1988

Official title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit to parents for dependents under age 5, that earned income credit shall not app… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit to parents for dependents under age 5, that earned income credit shall not apply to families having such a dependent, and that the dependent care credit shall not apply with respect to such dependents.

Introduced: January 25, 1989 See on congress.gov
Families DamagesDay careEarningsFederal aid to day care centers
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Government lendingIncome taxIncorporationInsurance companiesLiability (Law)Liability insuranceLicensesRevolving fundsRisk managementStandardsStatesTax creditsTax-exempt organizationsTorts
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 19, 1989
Committee on Finance. Hearings concluded. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-291.
Apr 18, 1989
Committee on Finance. Hearings held.
Jan 25, 1989
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jan 25, 1989
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action April 19, 1989

Committee on Finance. Hearings concluded. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-291.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Family Choice Tax Credit Act of 1988 - Title I: Credits for Families with Young Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a refundable income tax credit for each dependent child under the age of five. Establishes the credit percentage at: (1) 15 percent for a single qualified dependent; and (2) ten percent for each additional qualified dependent. Reduces the credit percentage (credit minimum is $700 per qualified dependent) for taxpayers whose earned income exceeds $8,000. Disallows the credit to taxpayers having earned income exceeding $30,000. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe tables for determining the credit amount.

Provides for the phase-in of higher credit amounts, beginning in FY 1994, if Congress meets total budget outlay limitations of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Authorizes advance tax credit payments by employers to employees who provide certification of eligibility. Requires taxpayers to file information returns to reflect such payments.

Disallows: (1) the earned income tax credit to taxpayers eligible for the young child tax credit; and (2) application of the dependent care credit in connection with a dependent child under the age of five.

Title II: Child Care Liability - Part A: Child Care Liability Reform - Applies this part to any civil action, except for intentional torts, in any State or Federal court, against any child care provider complying with the licensing or accreditation requirements of the State in which the provider is located. Makes joint and several liability inapplicable, except for concerted actions. Provides for reduction of damage awards when there are collateral sources of compensation. Sets forth standards and procedures for awarding of punitive damages.

Provides that nonprofit corporations and local educational agencies are not liable for damages in any civil action (to which this part applies) brought against a separate child care-providing corporation or business organization of which they are the parent or majority owner. Encourages States to establish expedited and simplified procedures under which nonprofit organizations and local educational agencies may inexpensively and quickly incorporate or otherwise organize such entities as separate child care providers.

Part B: Child Care Liability Risk Retention Group - Authorizes any State to assist in the establishment and operation of a child care liability risk retention group (a corporation or other limited liability association of licensed child care providers that satisfies specified Federal statutory criteria). Sets forth criteria for State applications for assistance, including a requirement for a State plan containing prescribed provisions.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review and approve State plans and to monitor State compliance with requirements of this part. Suspends payments upon a finding of noncompliance.

Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Revolving Loan Fund - Prescribes requirements for State applications for assistance to provide loans in the interest of enabling family-based child care providers to meet licensing standards. Requires submission of a State plan describing procedures and requirements for persons desiring loans from a State revolving loan fund established to provide loans of up to $1,500 to qualified applicants.

Authorizes appropriations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 159: Family Choice Tax Credit Act of 1988. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-159/
MLA
"S. 159: Family Choice Tax Credit Act of 1988." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-159/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 159, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-159/.
Markdown link
[S. 159: Family Choice Tax Credit Act of 1988](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-S-159/)
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