The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee passed the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act (H.R. 5377), which would suspend the $10,000 cap placed on state and local tax (SALT) deductions for 2020 and 2021, in addition to providing relief for married couples filing jointly in 2019 by doubling the cap to $20,000. The bill now heads to the full House for a vote, which could take place before lawmakers recess for the holidays.
The SALT deduction allows taxpayers to subtract state and local income, sales and property taxes from their federal tax payment. The 2017 federal tax overhaul capped SALT deductions at $10,000 – a move of particular import in states like Maryland.
According to the National Association of Counties (NACo):
Counties have supported a full restoration of the SALT deduction since the establishment of the cap as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-97). Capping the deduction has limited state and local control of tax systems and shifted the intergovernmental balance of taxation. By suspending the $10,000 cap, this legislation would improve counties’ ability to deliver essential public services, such as emergency response, infrastructure development and public health services.
NACo, along with other national organizations representing local governments, sent a letter of support House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) that expressed support for H.R. 5377 and the need for Congress to pass legislation that would restore the SALT deduction cap deduction.
NACo applauds the efforts to pass this important legislation and will continue to work with congressional champions towards a long-term solution that protects local taxing authority.
Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.
Useful Links
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Maryland Joins Multi-State Appeal Challenging SALT Cap Ruling
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Federal Judge Dismisses States’ Challenge to SALT Cap
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Bill to Restore Full SALT Deduction Emerges in New Congress
NACo Coverage: House Ways and Means Committee Advances Legislation to Suspend the SALT Cap
