HR 1226
105th Congress
House
Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act
Official title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prevent the unauthorized inspection of tax returns or tax return information.
Taxation
Administrative responsibilityBlood donorsChild support enforcementCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
ClaimsCollection of accountsCommerceComputer programmingComputers and governmentConsumer creditCopying processesCrime and Law EnforcementDamagesDepartment of the TreasuryDismissal of employeesEconomics and Public FinanceEducationFamiliesFederal aid to higher educationFederal employeesFederal law enforcement officersFederal officialsFinance and Financial SectorFinancial statementsFines (Penalties)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment procurementGovernment service contractsHealthHigher educationIdentification devicesIncome taxLabor and EmploymentLawLaw enforcement officersLocal employeesLocal officialsMaintenance and repairMedicareMisconduct in officeOld age, survivors and disability insurancePersonal income taxRight of privacyScience, Technology, CommunicationsSentences (Criminal procedure)Social WelfareSocial workersState employeesState officialsState taxationStudent loan fundsTax administrationTax returnsTaxpayersVictims of crimesWages
Everywhere this bill has been
21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 5, 1997
Became Public Law No: 105-35.
Aug 5, 1997
Signed by President.
Jul 25, 1997
Presented to President.
Jul 24, 1997
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 23, 1997
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7983)
Jul 23, 1997
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7983)
Apr 17, 1997
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 39.
Apr 16, 1997
Received in the Senate.
Apr 15, 1997
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 15, 1997
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 76).
Apr 15, 1997
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1490)
Apr 15, 1997
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Apr 15, 1997
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Apr 15, 1997
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1461-1467)
Apr 15, 1997
Mr. Archer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 14, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 36.
Apr 14, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-51.
Apr 9, 1997
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 8, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 8, 1997
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
1
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 1997 | House · vote #76 | Suspend the rules and pass, as amended | Passed | 412–0 | See who voted → |
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Latest action
Became Public Law No: 105-35.
Plain-English summary
Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make it unlawful for Federal employees, State employees, or other specified persons to willfully inspect, except as authorized, any tax return or return information. Imposes a monetary penalty, imprisonment, or both for violations. (Current law provides for imposition of penalties only for the unlawful disclosure of such information.)
Related & companion bills
1
Bill text
6 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF
- Enrolled Bill Formatted Text PDF
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF
- Placed on Calendar Senate Formatted Text PDF
- Public Law Formatted Text PDF
- Reported in House Formatted Text PDF
Committees of jurisdiction
1
Cosponsors
4
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1226: Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1226/
"H.R. 1226: Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1226/.
H.R. 1226, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1226/.
[H.R. 1226: Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1226/)