If you live in a high-tax state or own property with substantial property taxes, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) delivers a major change: a temporary increase to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.
This provision can provide thousands in additional deductions—but only if your income and tax profile fit the eligibility rules.
SALT Deduction Recap
The SALT deduction allows taxpayers who itemize to deduct certain state and local taxes, including:
- State and local income taxes or state and local sales taxes
- Property taxes on real estate and personal property
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 capped this deduction at $10,000 ($5,000 for married filing separately), which significantly reduced itemized deductions for taxpayers in high-tax states.
OBBB Changes: Higher Cap, New Phaseouts
Under the OBBB:
- New cap: $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately)
- Effective years: 2025 through 2029
- Income phaseout: Cap begins to phase out for taxpayers with modified AGI over $500,000 (MFJ) or $250,000 (single).
- Minimum deduction: Even at the highest income levels, the cap will never drop below $10,000.
Why This Matters
A higher SALT cap can make a substantial difference in your itemized deductions—especially if:
- You live in a high-tax state like California, New York, New Jersey, or Illinois.
- You have significant property tax bills.
- You have high state income taxes from wages, self-employment income, or business ownership.
Example: The Impact of the New SALT Cap
Scenario: A married couple filing jointly with $35,000 in combined property and state income taxes.
- Old cap: Only $10,000 deductible → $25,000 lost deduction.
- New cap: $35,000 deductible (fully under the $40,000 cap) → $25,000 additional deduction.
At a 32% marginal tax rate, that’s $8,000 in tax savings.
Planning Tips to Maximize the SALT Deduction
- Evaluate Itemizing vs. Standard Deduction
- With the higher SALT cap, more taxpayers in high-tax areas may benefit from itemizing again.
- Bundle Property Tax Payments
- If allowed by your state, you could pay two years’ worth of property taxes in one year to maximize the deduction—especially if your income will be lower in a given year.
- Watch the Phaseout Thresholds
- If your AGI is near $500,000 (MFJ) or $250,000 (single), year-end income planning may help you keep the full benefit.
- Coordinate with Other OBBB Provisions
- The SALT cap increase works in tandem with higher standard deductions, the restored QBI deduction, and other credits—making holistic tax planning essential.
Important Reminders
- The higher cap expires after 2029 unless extended by Congress.
- Not all states allow prepayment of taxes to shift deductions—check local rules.
- The deduction is still only available to taxpayers who itemize.
Final Takeaway
For taxpayers in high-tax states, the OBBB’s SALT cap increase offers a valuable—though temporary—chance to reclaim thousands in deductions each year. The key is to run the numbers to see if itemizing makes sense and to plan ahead for income and property tax payment timing.
Want to find out exactly how the higher SALT cap could affect your 2025 return?
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