Number: RL34290
Title: The Indian Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act: An Overview
Authors: Yule Kim, American Law Division 
Abstract: The Indian Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act (the act) was enacted in 1983 as a temporary measure and made permanent in 1985. The act extends to Indian tribal governments several favorable forms of tax treatment previously enjoyed exclusively by states and their political subdivisions. Prior to the passage of the act, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had concluded that, absent express statutory provisions, tribal governments were not to be treated as states for federal taxation purposes. In response to this IRS determination, Congress, recognizing that both state and tribal governments perform similar functions for their citizens, passed the act as a means of facilitating tribal governments in the exercise of their governmental powers. Two bills introduced in the 110th Congress, S. 1850 and H.R. 3164, would amend the act by giving tribal governments greater flexibility in issuing tax-exempt bonds.
Pages: 12
Date: December 20, 2007