'SALT' deduction in limbo as Senate Republicans unveil tax plan


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The SALT Deduction's Uncertain Future

The article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding the SALT (state and local taxes) deduction within the context of the Senate Republicans' newly unveiled tax plan. A $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, initially introduced in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), persists in the current proposal despite prior suggestions for raising it.

Contentious Issue

The SALT deduction cap has been a contentious issue, particularly for lawmakers in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, and California. These lawmakers possess significant leverage due to the slim Republican majority in the House.

Potential Benefits and Concerns

While raising the cap might benefit higher-income households, the majority of taxpayers utilize the standard deduction, making them unaffected by the SALT deduction changes. Moreover, the initial 2017 cap contributed to financing other TCJA tax cuts, and some lawmakers favor maintaining the lower limit for this purpose.

Political Dynamics

The Senate Majority Leader expressed a hope for reaching a compromise, while some House Republicans have already voiced strong opposition to the proposed $10,000 cap, viewing it as inadequate and potentially damaging to their political standing.

  • The Senate's proposal faces resistance from House Republicans.
  • The final decision is subject to negotiations between the Senate and House.
  • The $10,000 cap is considered a compromise between previous higher proposed caps.
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks at a press conference following the U.S. Senate Republicans' weekly policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 10, 2025.

Kent Nishimura | Reuters

As Senate Republicans release key details of President Donald Trump's spending package, some provisions, including the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, remain in limbo.

Enacted via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, of 2017, there's currently a $10,000 limit on the SALT deduction through 2025. Before 2018, the tax break — including state and local income and property taxes — was unlimited for filers who itemized deductions. But the so-called alternative minimum tax reduced the benefit for some higher earners.

The Senate Finance Committee's proposed text released on Monday includes a $10,000 SALT deduction cap, which is expected to change during Senate-House negotiations on the spending package. That limit is down from the $40,000 cap approved by House Republicans in May.

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The SALT deduction has been 'contentious'

"SALT has been contentious for eight years," said Andrew Lautz, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center's economic policy program.

Since 2017, the SALT deduction cap has been a key issue for certain lawmakers in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California. These House members have leverage during negotiations amid a slim House Republican majority.

Under current law, filers who itemize tax breaks can't claim more than $10,000 for the SALT deduction, including married couples filing jointly, which is considered a "marriage penalty."

However, raising the SALT deduction cap has been controversial. If enacted, benefits would primarily flow to higher-income households, according to a May analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Currently, the vast majority of filers — roughly 90%, according to the latest IRS data — use the standard deduction and don't benefit from itemized tax breaks.

Plus, the 2017 SALT cap was enacted to help pay for other TCJA tax breaks, and some lawmakers support the lower limit for funding purposes.

In the Senate, "there isn't a high level of interest in doing anything on SALT," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said June 15 on "Fox News Sunday."

"I think at the end of the day, we'll find a landing spot, hopefully that will get the votes that we need in the House, a compromise position on the SALT issue," he said. 

But some House Republicans have already pushed back on the proposed $10,000 SALT deduction cap included in the Senate draft. 

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., on Monday described the Senate proposed $10,000 SALT deduction limit as "DEAD ON ARRIVAL" in an X post.

Meanwhile, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., on Monday also posted about the $10,000 cap on X. She said the lower limit was "not only insulting but a slap in the face to the Republican districts that delivered our majority and trifecta."

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