Maximizing Tax Savings: Navigating SALT Deduction Changes and Leveraging Passthrough Entity Tax Strategies

The State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction provides taxpayers an opportunity to deduct state and local income or sales taxes, along with property taxes, from their federal taxable income when they itemize deductions. Historically, this has served to alleviate the burden of double taxation by the federal government on income that has already been taxed at the state level.

Understanding the Pre-OBBBA Landscape

Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, the SALT deduction was uncapped, allowing taxpayers to fully deduct their state and local taxes. This was particularly beneficial for residents of high-tax states such as New York and California. However, the TCJA imposed a $10,000 cap on the deduction, significantly impacting the ability of taxpayers in these states to derive full benefit.

The introduction of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) has now modified this landscape. From 2025, the SALT deduction cap will rise to $40,000, increasing by 1% yearly until 2029, reverting back to $10,000 thereafter unless Congress takes further action.

Image 1

SALT DEDUCTION CAP

YearSalt Cap
2024$10,000
2025$40,000
2026$40,400
2027$40,804
2028$41,212
2029$41,624
2030+$10,000

½ those amounts for married couples filing separately

This change responds to concerns from representatives of high-tax states by potentially enabling higher deduction claims by their constituents who itemize deductions on their federal returns.

SALT Deduction Limitations for High Earners

The OBBBA also introduces new limitations, whereby taxpayers with high modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) face reduced SALT deductions. This phase-out impacts taxpayers earning above certain thresholds, affecting those earning significantly above this limit the most, bringing their deduction down to $10,000.

Image 2

Examples of Deduction Caps:

  • Example #1 (2027): With a MAGI of $523,000, a taxpayer begins with a $40,804 deduction. This exceeds the $510,050 MAGI threshold, reducing their deduction by $3,885 to a final $36,919.
  • Example #2 (2027): A taxpayer with a MAGI of $615,000, exceeding $612,730, faces a maximum limitation of $10,000.

Exploring Passthrough Entity Tax Solutions

In response to the SALT deduction cap, several states have adopted Passthrough Entity Tax (PTET) strategies. Such methodologies permit S corporations and partnerships to pay state taxes at the entity level. This allows these taxes to be deductible at the federal level as business expenses, circumventing the individual deduction limit. Taxpayers who receive state tax credits for their share of taxes paid encourage these innovative approaches for high-income earners in states with large tax liabilities.

Image 3

Conclusion

The evolution in SALT deduction policies represents both challenges and opportunities. The OBBBA’s provisions offer temporary alleviation but with limitations for high earners. Meanwhile, PTETs provide a strategic avenue for businesses seeking robust tax planning solutions, thereby fostering an adaptive response to legislative restrictions. Keeping abreast with these tax planning strategies is crucial.

Contact our office if your SALT deduction is affected by your MAGI. We'll help determine if PTET benefits apply to you in your state.

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
Let us take your tax and accounting needs off your hands today.