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Leveraging SALT Deduction Changes and Passthrough Entity Strategies for Financial Optimization

The State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction is a key component of tax planning, allowing taxpayers to deduct their state and local taxes—including income or sales taxes and property taxes—on federal tax returns, provided they itemize deductions. Historically a critical tool to alleviate double taxation, recent legislative shifts have altered its framework significantly.

Understanding SALT Deduction Before and After TCJA

Prior to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the SALT deduction was limitless. Taxpayers could deduct all state and local taxes on federal returns, making it a valuable deduction for residents in states with high taxes like New York, California, and Illinois. However, the TCJA imposed a $10,000 cap on the deduction for both individual and joint filers and $5,000 for separate filers, hitting high-tax state residents hard.

New Developments Under the OBBBA

Enter the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), which revises this cap starting in 2025, raising it to $40,000, with a 1% annual adjustment, peaking in 2029. If no further action is taken, the cap will revert to $10,000 in 2030. This adjustment responds to longstanding grievances from high-tax state representatives.

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The updated cap aims to provide relief for many taxpayers who itemize deductions. However, higher-income taxpayers face additional constraints as the new rule phases out the deduction based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). In 2025, for incomes over $500,000, the deduction is reduced by 30% of income exceeding the threshold, capping higher MAGI taxpayers’ deductions essentially back to $10,000. Here’s how it scales:

SALT DEDUCTION REDUCTION

Year

MAGI Phase Out Threshold

MAGI - Reduced to $10,000

2025

$500,000

$600,000

2026

$505,000

$606,333

2027

$506,050

$612,730

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Pioneering Passthrough Entity Solutions

Amid these changes, states have introduced passthrough entity tax (PTET) strategies. These enable S corporations and partnerships to pay state taxes at the entity rather than the individual level. This approach allows businesses to deduct state taxes federally, circumventing the SALT cap and granting individual owners a state tax credit. It’s a strategic workaround increasingly utilized by those with substantial state tax responsibilities.

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Conclusion and Strategic Guidance

The evolution of the SALT deduction rules underscores the intricate landscape of tax planning. The OBBBA offers temporary relief, while passthrough entity taxes provide strategic opportunities for financial optimization. Navigating these provisions requires proactive planning and awareness of both current and potential tax landscapes. For small businesses and entrepreneurs especially, capitalizing on these strategies is crucial to maintain tax efficiency and optimize financial outcomes.

Should your SALT deductions dwindle due to high MAGI, contact us to explore applicable PTET options in your state. Together, we can chart a path toward maximizing your tax deductions and financial health.

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