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Bill

S 4796

Stock Buyback Accountability Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Chris Van Hollen and 5 co-sponsors

S. 4796 would raise the excise tax on corporate stock buybacks, aiming to curb buybacks and shift capital toward wages, investment, or other uses.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4796

Bill overview

  • Bill: S. 4796
  • Session: 119th Congress
  • Jurisdiction: United States (Senate)
  • Title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the rate of the excise tax on the repurchase of corporate stock, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced / Status: Introduced and read twice, referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (as of 2026-06-16). Co-sponsors include Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, Chuck Schumer, and Sheldon Whitehouse.

Purpose and intent

  • The primary purpose of S. 4796 is to increase the excise tax rate on corporate stock repurchases (buybacks). The bill seeks to modify the Internal Revenue Code to raise the levy on repurchases undertaken by U.S. corporations.
  • By elevating the tax on stock buybacks, the bill aims to discourage or limit corporate usage of buybacks as a means of distributing profits to shareholders, and to reorient corporate taxation toward other preferred uses of capital (e.g., investment in workers, wages, research and development) or to raise federal revenue.

Key provisions and changes (as described)

  • Excise tax rate on stock repurchases: The bill would adjust the current framework for the excise tax imposed when a corporation repurchases its own stock. While exact numeric rate and structure are not specified in the summary provided, the bill’s core change is a higher rate than the existing law.
  • Scope of buybacks subject to tax: The measure targets repurchases of corporate stock, i.e., transactions in which a corporation buys back its own shares from shareholders. The bill’s text would define eligible transactions and clarify that most or all repurchases are subject to the excise tax, subject to any exemptions or thresholds the bill provides.
  • Other provisions: The phrase “and for other purposes” suggests potential related measures, such as:
    • Clarifications or updates to related tax rules (definitions of buybacks, treatment of convertible instruments, or related corporate tax provisions).
    • Potential transitional rules or safe harbors.
    • Revenue-use or allocation provisions (how the increased revenue would be used, if specified).

Note: The summary provided does not include explicit numerical details (rates, thresholds, exemptions). The formal bill text would detail the exact rate schedule, calculation method, and any exclusions.

Who or what would be affected

  • U.S. corporations engaging in stock repurchases: Firms that buy back their own stock would face a higher excise tax liability on those transactions.
  • Shareholders and investors in buyback-reliant firms: Indirectly affected through potential changes in corporate capital allocation, share counts, and maybe market signaling tied to buyback activity.
  • Federal revenue and policy goals: The increased excise tax would generate additional federal revenue and could influence broader tax policy debates around capital allocation, shareholder distributions, and worker-focused investments.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Finance (2026-06-16). The action history indicates standard progression toward committee review, potential markup, and floor consideration.
  • Next steps (typical for this stage): The Finance Committee would likely study the bill, possibly hold hearings, and propose amendments. If approved, it would move to the Senate floor for debate and a vote, and, if passed, could proceed to the House or be subject to reconciliation if different chambers act.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Economic impact: Higher buyback taxes could reduce the attractiveness of buybacks as a capital-return strategy, potentially encouraging different uses of corporate profits, such as investment in labor, wages, or capital expenditures.
  • Revenue impact: The policy would increase federal excise tax collections from buyback transactions, contributing to federal revenue.
  • Behavioral responses: Firms might adjust timing of buybacks, re-evaluate buyback programs, or increase other forms of shareholder value distribution. There could be debates about effects on stock prices, earnings per share metrics, and corporate governance practices.

If you’d like, I can compare S. 4796 to current law on buyback taxation (or similar prior proposals), or draft a side-by-side table of proposed changes once the exact rate and exemptions are available from the bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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