(a)

Exclusion of employer provided housing for individual affected by Hurricane Katrina

(1)

In general

Gross income of a qualified employee shall not include the value of any lodging furnished in-kind to such employee (and such employee's spouse or any of such employee's dependents) by or on behalf of a qualified employer for any month during the taxable year.

(2)

Limitation

The amount which may be excluded under paragraph (1) for any month for which lodging is furnished during the taxable year shall not exceed $600.

(3)

Treatment of exclusion

The exclusion under paragraph (1) shall be treated as an exclusion under section 119 (other than for purposes of sections 3121(a)(19) and 3306(b)(14)).

(b)

Employer credit for housing employees affected by Hurricane Katrina

For purposes of section 38, in the case of a qualified employer, the Hurricane Katrina housing credit for any month during the taxable year is an amount equal to 30 percent of any amount which is excludable from the gross income of a qualified employee of such employer under subsection (a) and not otherwise excludable under section 119.

(c)

Qualified employee

For purposes of this section, the term "qualified employee" means, with respect to any month, an individual -

(1)

who had a principal residence (as defined in section 121) in the Gulf Opportunity Zone on August 28, 2005, and

(2)

who performs substantially all employment services -

(A)

in the Gulf Opportunity Zone, and

(B)

for the qualified employer which furnishes lodging to such individual.

(d)

Qualified employer

For purposes of this section, the term "qualified employer" means any employer with a trade or business located in the Gulf Opportunity Zone.

(e)

Certain rules to apply

For purposes of this subsection, rules similar to the rules of sections 51(i)(1) and 52 shall apply.

(f)

Application of section

This section shall apply to lodging furnished during the period -

(1)

beginning on the first day of the first month beginning after the date of the enactment of this section, and

(2)

ending on the date which is 6 months after the first day described in paragraph (1).