Enhanced SALT Tax Break Will Help Many Homeowners

By Robert P. Russo, CPA PC

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, will allow more taxpayers to fully deduct their state and local tax (SALT) expenses (including property tax). Here are the details.

SALT Deduction Expanded

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the itemized deduction for SALT was limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for married individuals who file separately) beginning in 2018.

This limitation negatively affected taxpayers living in locations with high state income tax rates and those who pay high property taxes because:

• They live in a high-property-tax jurisdiction,
• They live in a location with high property values,
• They own an expensive home, or
• They own both a primary residence and one or more vacation homes.

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Under the OBBBA, for 2025 through 2029, the SALT deduction limit increases from $10,000 to $40,000 (or $20,000 for separate filers) with 1% annual inflation adjustments. So, for 2026, the cap will be $40,400 ($20,200 for separate filers).

But unless Congress takes further action, the SALT deduction limit is scheduled to revert to the prior-law limit of $10,000 ($5,000 for separate filers) in 2030.

Note: Several states have established SALT deduction workarounds for pass-through entities. These workarounds aren’t addressed or limited by the OBBBA.

Smaller Benefit for Some Taxpayers

Under the OBBBA, for 2025, the higher SALT limit begins to be reduced for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $500,000 ($250,000 for separate filers). These thresholds will also be increased by 1% annually for 2026 through 2029.

When a taxpayer’s MAGI exceeds the applicable threshold, the otherwise allowable SALT deduction limitation is reduced by 30% of MAGI above the threshold, but not below $10,000 ($5,000 for separate filers). Here’s an example: Greg and Tina are a married couple who file jointly and live in a high-tax state. For 2025, their combined SALT expenses are $60,000. Their MAGI is $550,000 for 2025, which is $50,000 above the applicable threshold. Therefore, their SALT deduction for 2025 is limited to $25,000 [$40,000 minus (30% times $50,000)].

Because of the 30% reduction, the expanded SALT deduction doesn’t benefit taxpayers with MAGI at or above $600,000 ($300,000 for separate filers).

Deducting State and Local Income vs. Sales Tax

The SALT deduction continues to be available for property taxes plus the total state and local income taxes or the total of all sales taxes. Choosing to deduct sales taxes is a helpful option if you owe little or nothing for state and local income taxes, or you made a major purchase that causes your sales tax to exceed your state and local income tax.

If you opt to deduct sales tax, you don’t have to save all of your receipts for the year and manually calculate your sales tax; you can use the IRS Sales Tax Calculator on the IRS website to determine the amount of sales tax you can claim. (It includes the ability to add actual sales tax paid on certain big-ticket items, such as a car.)

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Start Planning Now

If you have high SALT expenses, to get the maximum benefit from the increased deduction limit, you need to plan carefully between now and year-end. For example, you may want to take steps to keep your MAGI under the reduction threshold. Or you might want to accelerate property tax payments into 2025.

Contact our office for help determining the right strategy for your specific situation.

MEET ROBERT P. RUSSO, CPA PC

As the founder and principal of Russo CPA, P.C, Bob pleasantly surprises clients (plus the IRS and lawyers) with his proactive, caring, and interested approach. Bob’s authentic passion for both numbers and people is why his accounting firm is sought after by everyone from solopreneurs to CFOs. And it’s what energizes his fast-growing team of top CPAs who follow his lead by providing impeccable service to clients – without the CPA geek speak.

The only thing geeky about Bob is his favorite reading material: the latest tax regulations, codes, and rulings (so he can secure every possible tax advantage for his clients). You might mistake Bob for the charismatic entrepreneur and CFO behind an internet travel startup or a visionary real estate developer. That’s because he held those roles during his 30-year career as an accountant, which began at a high-profile accounting firm. While CPAs aren’t required to have “field” experience, the best ones do. But Bob doesn’t define success by his own achievements, it’s what he achieves for his clients. Because of his entrepreneurial past, Bob relates so well to his clients. In addition to serious tax savings most firms would miss, he empowers his clients with real-world accounting and financial insights to increase business.

Bob is even results-driven outside of work, whether it’s finishing the 2012 NYC Iron Man or volunteering for 12 years as President of a kids’ soccer league. While his bottom-line results are always impressive, what matters to Bob are the people who benefit from them.

When he’s not immersed in accounting, Bob is with his family, cooking up elaborate 18-course meals or globetrotting.

Robert P Russo CPA PC
Certified Public Accountants
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