GOP Planning to Tackle Tax Issues in ’03 Session

After talking about an aggressive new round of tax cuts, Republicans are hoping to press forward next year with a modest tax agenda that’s probably more symbolic than substantive, GOP congressional sources say.

The tax cut strategy will be twofold: a largely political push to make last year’s 10-year, $1.35-trillion tax cut permanent; and an immediate “stimulus” package tied to economic recovery that could include a doubling of the child credit, raising limits on contributions to retirement accounts and more tax breaks for business investment.