text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Choice in Welfare Tax Credit Act of 
  1995''.
  SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN PRIVATE 
                CHARITIES PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR.
  
      (a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable 
  personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 22 the 
  following new section:
  
  ``SEC. 23. CREDIT FOR CERTAIN CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.
  
      ``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, there shall be 
  allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the 
  taxable year an amount equal to the qualified charitable contributions 
  which are paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
      ``(b) Limitation.--The credit allowed by subsection (a) for the 
  taxable year shall not exceed $100 ($200 in the case of a joint 
  return).
      ``(c) Qualified Charitable Contribution.--For purposes of this 
  section, the term `qualified charitable contribution' means any 
  charitable contribution (as defined in section 170(c)) made in cash to 
  a qualified charity but only if the amount of each such contribution, 
  and the recipient thereof, are identified on the return for the taxable 
  year during which such contribution is made.
      ``(d) Qualified Charity.--
              ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
          `qualified charity' means, with respect to the taxpayer, any 
          organization described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from tax 
          under section 501(a)--
                      ``(A) which is certified by the Secretary as 
                  meeting the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3),
                      ``(B) which is organized under the laws of the 
                  United States or of any State in which the organization 
                  is qualified to operate, and
                      ``(C) which is required, or elects to be treated as 
                  being required, to file returns under section 6033.
              ``(2) Charity must primarily assist the poor.--An 
          organization meets the requirements of this paragraph only if 
          the predominant activity of such organization is the provision 
          of services to individuals whose annual incomes generally do 
          not exceed 150 percent of the official poverty line (as defined 
          by the Office of Management and Budget).
              ``(3) Minimum expenditure requirement.--
                      ``(A) In general.--An organization meets the 
                  requirements of this paragraph only if the Secretary 
                  reasonably expects that the annual exempt purpose 
                  expenditures of such organization will not be less than 
                  70 percent of the annual aggregate expenditures of such 
                  organization.
                      ``(B) Exempt purpose expenditure.--For purposes of 
                  subparagraph (A)--
                              ``(i) In general.--The term `exempt purpose 
                          expenditure' means any expenditure to carry out 
                          the activity referred to in paragraph (2).
                              ``(ii) Exceptions.--Such term shall not 
                          include--
                                      ``(I) any administrative expense,
                                      ``(II) any expense for the purpose 
                                  of influencing legislation (as defined 
                                  in section 4911(d)),
                                      ``(III) any expense primarily for 
                                  the purpose of fundraising, and
                                      ``(IV) any expense for litigation 
                                  on behalf of any individual referred to 
                                  in paragraph (2).
      ``(e) Time When Contributions Deemed Made.--For purposes of this 
  section, at the election of the taxpayer, a contribution which is made 
  not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for the 
  taxable year (not including extensions thereof) shall be treated as 
  made on the last day of such taxable year.
      ``(f) Coordination With Deduction for Charitable Contributions.--
              ``(1) Credit in lieu of deduction.--The credit provided by 
          subsection (a) for any qualified charitable contribution shall 
          be in lieu of any deduction otherwise allowable under this 
          chapter for such contribution.
              ``(2) Election to have section not apply.--A taxpayer may 
          elect for any taxable year to have this section not apply.''
      (b) Qualified Charities Required To Provide Copies of Annual 
  Return.--Subsection (e) of section 6104 of such Code (relating to 
  public inspection of certain annual returns and applications for 
  exemption) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
              ``(3) Charities receiving creditable contributions required 
          to provide copies of annual return.--
                      ``(A) In general.--Every qualified charity (as 
                  defined in section 23(d)) shall, upon request of an 
                  individual made at an office where such organization's 
                  annual return filed under section 6033 is required 
                  under paragraph (1) to be available for inspection, 
                  provide a copy of such return to such individual 
                  without charge other than a reasonable fee for any 
                  reproduction and mailing costs. If the request is made 
                  in person, such copies shall be provided immediately 
                  and, if made other than in person, shall be provided 
                  within 30 days.
                      ``(B) Period of availability.--Subparagraph (A) 
                  shall apply only during the 3-year period beginning on 
                  the filing date (as defined in paragraph (1)(D) of the 
                  return requested).''
      (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart A of 
  part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by 
  inserting after the item relating to section 22 the following new item:
  
                                ``Sec. 23. Credit for certain charitable 
                                          contributions.''
      (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
  apply to contributions made after the 90th day after the date of the 
  enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date.
target: Choice in Welfare Tax Credit Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual income tax credit of up to $100 ($200 for a joint return) of the value of certain charitable contributions to any tax-exempt, U.S. organization that spends at least 70 percent of aggregate expenditures assisting the poor.  Requires that: (1) taxpayers identify each such contribution and the recipient on the individual's tax return; and (2) such charities provide copies of their annual return to such individuals upon request.
feat_title: Choice in Welfare Tax Credit Act of 1995