Rep. Schneider Leads Letter Urging Preservation of SALT Tax Deduction
Eight members of Illinois congressional delegation highlight importance of deduction for residents of high-tax states
Today, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) and seven members of the Illinois congressional delegation urged the preservation of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction in any proposed federal tax reform.
In a letter to Chairman Kevin Brady of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the members of Congress write, "Imposing a federal tax on income paid to state and local governments is double taxation, plain and simple. Furthermore, eliminating this long-standing deduction would disproportionately harm taxpayers across the income spectrum in high-tax states."
Illinois ranks among the top ten states for highest total tax burden. More than 32 percent of Illinois taxpayers utilize the SALT deduction - 85 percent of which are middle income.
The members of Congress also highlighted the importance of the SALT deduction for homeownership in Illinois, since the deduction of property tax plays a crucial role in how Illinoisans determine the affordability of home purchases. Repealing this provision could jeopardize the financial security of constituents and make homes less affordable.
The letter concludes, "Across Illinois, individuals and businesses want a simplified tax code that reflects our national values of entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term economic growth and prosperity…Eliminating the SALT deduction will not get us closer to those shared goals and would hurt families, state and local governments, the housing market, and our communities."
The letter was signed by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Luis Gutiérrez (IL-4), Robin Kelly (IL-2), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Bill Foster (IL-11), Daniel Lipinski (IL-3), and Cheri Bustos (IL-17).