Tax Court Improvement Act

Summary

Tax Court Improvement Act This bill expands the authority of the U.S. Tax Court to issue subpoenas, authorizes the Tax Court to extend certain petition deadlines, and makes other changes related to Tax Court procedures. The bill authorizes the Tax Court to issue subpoenas compelling the production of documents and other items from a litigant or witness for evidentiary or discovery purposes (whether or not it is in connection with a scheduled hearing). (Under current law, the Tax Court may issue subpoenas only to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence at a scheduled hearing or deposition.) The bill authorizes the Tax Court to extend (or toll) the deadline to file a Tax Court petition contesting an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deficiency notice if it is equitable to do so (known as equitable tolling). Further, under the bill, the dismissal of a petition contesting an IRS deficiency notice because the petition is not filed before the deadline and equitable tolling is denied is not treated as a decision of the Tax Court. This allows a subsequent claim to be filed in U.S. district court if certain conditions are met. The bill also expands the type of Tax Court proceedings for which special trial judges may be appointed, authorizes Tax Court special trial judges to impose fines up to $5,000 and up to 30 days in jail for contempt of court, and requires Tax Court judges and special trial judges to recuse themselves in certain circumstances.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on Ways and Means · U.S. House of Representatives

Also referred to Senate Committee on Finance · U.S. Senate.

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Cosponsors

Full history

1. Sep 30, 2026

   Measure Laid Before Senate by Unanimous consent. (consideration: cr S5207-5208)

   Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5207-5208)

   U.S. Senate

2. Sep 30, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

   U.S. Senate

3. Sep 30, 2026

   In committee

   Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.

   U.S. Senate

4. Dec 2, 2025

   In committee

   Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

   U.S. House

5. Dec 2, 2025

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

   U.S. Senate

Read the record

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