Page 6

131 STAT. 2058 PUBLIC LAW 115–97—DEC. 22, 2017 to this paragraph) be taxed at a rate below 39.6 per- cent’ in subparagraph (C)(ii)(I). ‘‘(B) MAXIMUM AMOUNTS DEFINED.—For purposes of applying section 1(h) with the modifications described in subparagraph (A)— ‘‘(i) MAXIMUM ZERO RATE AMOUNT.—The maximum zero rate amount shall be— ‘‘(I) in the case of a joint return or surviving spouse, $77,200, ‘‘(II) in the case of an individual who is a head of household (as defined in section 2(b)), $51,700, ‘‘(III) in the case of any other individual (other than an estate or trust), an amount equal to 1⁄2 of the amount in effect for the taxable year under subclause (I), and ‘‘(IV) in the case of an estate or trust, $2,600. ‘‘(ii) MAXIMUM 15-PERCENT RATE AMOUNT.—The maximum 15-percent rate amount shall be— ‘‘(I) in the case of a joint return or surviving spouse, $479,000 (1⁄2 such amount in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), ‘‘(II) in the case of an individual who is the head of a household (as defined in section 2(b)), $452,400, ‘‘(III) in the case of any other individual (other than an estate or trust), $425,800, and ‘‘(IV) in the case of an estate or trust, $12,700. ‘‘(C) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.—In the case of any tax- able year beginning after 2018, each of the dollar amounts in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be increased by an amount equal to— ‘‘(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by ‘‘(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under subsection (f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2017’ for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. If any increase under this subparagraph is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50. ‘‘(6) SECTION 15 NOT TO APPLY.—Section 15 shall not apply to any change in a rate of tax by reason of this subsection.’’. (b) DUE DILIGENCE TAX PREPARER REQUIREMENT WITH RESPECT TO HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD FILING STATUS.—Subsection (g) of section 6695 is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(g) FAILURE TO BE DILIGENT IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN TAX BENEFITS.—Any person who is a tax return preparer with respect to any return or claim for refund who fails to comply with due diligence requirements imposed by the Secretary by regu- lations with respect to determining— ‘‘(1) eligibility to file as a head of household (as defined in section 2(b)) on the return, or ‘‘(2) eligibility for, or the amount of, the credit allowable by section 24, 25A(a)(1), or 32, shall pay a penalty of $500 for each such failure.’’. 26 USC 6695. VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:09 Oct 18, 2018 Jkt 079139 PO 00097 Frm 00006 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL097.115 PUBL097 dkrause on DSKBC28HB2PROD with PUBLAWS