Bill HR3648. The Senate-bound phantom income bill

"Currently, if a lender or creditor forgives all or part of a debt due to a foreclosure or short sale , the amount forgiven is seen as income by the IRS, which is taxable. The IRS requires that lenders send a Form 1099 reporting they cancelled the debt to any homeowners that foreclose or participate in a short sale. The IRS turns around and taxes the homeowner on the "phantom income." "