SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Flanked by other House Democrats, House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol January 4, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly set to propose rolling back a cap on tax deductions, which would benefit high-earning Americans, as part of the next step of an economic stimulus package that has already poured trillions into the U.S. economy--much of it going to the richest individuals and corporations in the country.
"This is almost unbelievable," HuffPost senior reporter Emily Peck tweeted in response to the news. "Of all the things to do to help people; she wants to... give upper middle class people a tax break."
The California Democrat's plan to retroactively undo the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limits would be a major tax break for households earning over $100,000, according to critics like University of Michigan professor Justin Wolfers.
"Retroactive tax deductions are always a bad idea--a giveaway that gets you nothing--and this one goes almost entirely to household on at least $100,000 a year," said Wolfers of the plan.
\u201cPelosi\u2019s terrible idea: Retroactively raising the cap on State and Local Tax deductions. Retroactive tax deductions are always a bad idea \u2014 a giveaway that get you nothing \u2014 and this one goes almost entirely to household on at least $100,000 a year. https://t.co/FPIkaNCLb1\u201d— Justin Wolfers (@Justin Wolfers) 1585613016
As the New York Times reported, there is skepticism over the Pelosi proposal:
The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimated last year that a full repeal of the SALT limit for 2019 alone would reduce federal revenues by about $77 billion. Americans earning $1 million a year or more would collectively reap $40 billion of those benefits. Most of the rest would go to households earning $200,000 or more.
[...]
Many liberal economic policy analysts also oppose lifting the SALT cap, calling it regressive tax policy. Seth Hanlon, a senior fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress, said the same logic was also a reason not to lift the limit in the next economic rescue bill. That is particularly true because consumption data show that low- and middle-income Americans are more likely than higher earners to spend benefits from the government immediately and stimulate economic activity.
Pelosi's spokesman Henry Connelly claimed in a statement for the Times that the speaker's plan would be means-tested and "tailored to focus on middle-class earners and include limitations on the higher end."
Nonetheless, rolling back the deductions would benefit millionaires and billionaires more than those making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, as activist James Medlock showed on Twitter.
\u201cThe SALT cap debate is mostly people in the second to last group pictured below, ferociously fighting for benefits that will help people in the very last group even more than themselves\u201d— James Medlock (@James Medlock) 1585670861
In a statement, Patriotic Millionaires chair Morris Pearl dismissed Pelosi's plan as "a huge mistake."
"The last people who need help right now are the well-off taxpayers who would be affected by this change," said Pearl. "Congress should instead be prioritizing low-income and middle-class workers most directly hurt by the economic effects of the coronavirus."
Pearl, former managing director of investment firm Blackrock, added that people in his economic bracket were most likely to weather the storm of the pandemic without much economic pain.
"If Democrats want to be the party of working people, prioritizing tax cuts for wealthy taxpayers, even in blue states, is not the right thing to do," said Pearl. "We already have too many politicians in Washington whose answer to every problem is to cut taxes for the rich."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly set to propose rolling back a cap on tax deductions, which would benefit high-earning Americans, as part of the next step of an economic stimulus package that has already poured trillions into the U.S. economy--much of it going to the richest individuals and corporations in the country.
"This is almost unbelievable," HuffPost senior reporter Emily Peck tweeted in response to the news. "Of all the things to do to help people; she wants to... give upper middle class people a tax break."
The California Democrat's plan to retroactively undo the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limits would be a major tax break for households earning over $100,000, according to critics like University of Michigan professor Justin Wolfers.
"Retroactive tax deductions are always a bad idea--a giveaway that gets you nothing--and this one goes almost entirely to household on at least $100,000 a year," said Wolfers of the plan.
\u201cPelosi\u2019s terrible idea: Retroactively raising the cap on State and Local Tax deductions. Retroactive tax deductions are always a bad idea \u2014 a giveaway that get you nothing \u2014 and this one goes almost entirely to household on at least $100,000 a year. https://t.co/FPIkaNCLb1\u201d— Justin Wolfers (@Justin Wolfers) 1585613016
As the New York Times reported, there is skepticism over the Pelosi proposal:
The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimated last year that a full repeal of the SALT limit for 2019 alone would reduce federal revenues by about $77 billion. Americans earning $1 million a year or more would collectively reap $40 billion of those benefits. Most of the rest would go to households earning $200,000 or more.
[...]
Many liberal economic policy analysts also oppose lifting the SALT cap, calling it regressive tax policy. Seth Hanlon, a senior fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress, said the same logic was also a reason not to lift the limit in the next economic rescue bill. That is particularly true because consumption data show that low- and middle-income Americans are more likely than higher earners to spend benefits from the government immediately and stimulate economic activity.
Pelosi's spokesman Henry Connelly claimed in a statement for the Times that the speaker's plan would be means-tested and "tailored to focus on middle-class earners and include limitations on the higher end."
Nonetheless, rolling back the deductions would benefit millionaires and billionaires more than those making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, as activist James Medlock showed on Twitter.
\u201cThe SALT cap debate is mostly people in the second to last group pictured below, ferociously fighting for benefits that will help people in the very last group even more than themselves\u201d— James Medlock (@James Medlock) 1585670861
In a statement, Patriotic Millionaires chair Morris Pearl dismissed Pelosi's plan as "a huge mistake."
"The last people who need help right now are the well-off taxpayers who would be affected by this change," said Pearl. "Congress should instead be prioritizing low-income and middle-class workers most directly hurt by the economic effects of the coronavirus."
Pearl, former managing director of investment firm Blackrock, added that people in his economic bracket were most likely to weather the storm of the pandemic without much economic pain.
"If Democrats want to be the party of working people, prioritizing tax cuts for wealthy taxpayers, even in blue states, is not the right thing to do," said Pearl. "We already have too many politicians in Washington whose answer to every problem is to cut taxes for the rich."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly set to propose rolling back a cap on tax deductions, which would benefit high-earning Americans, as part of the next step of an economic stimulus package that has already poured trillions into the U.S. economy--much of it going to the richest individuals and corporations in the country.
"This is almost unbelievable," HuffPost senior reporter Emily Peck tweeted in response to the news. "Of all the things to do to help people; she wants to... give upper middle class people a tax break."
The California Democrat's plan to retroactively undo the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limits would be a major tax break for households earning over $100,000, according to critics like University of Michigan professor Justin Wolfers.
"Retroactive tax deductions are always a bad idea--a giveaway that gets you nothing--and this one goes almost entirely to household on at least $100,000 a year," said Wolfers of the plan.
\u201cPelosi\u2019s terrible idea: Retroactively raising the cap on State and Local Tax deductions. Retroactive tax deductions are always a bad idea \u2014 a giveaway that get you nothing \u2014 and this one goes almost entirely to household on at least $100,000 a year. https://t.co/FPIkaNCLb1\u201d— Justin Wolfers (@Justin Wolfers) 1585613016
As the New York Times reported, there is skepticism over the Pelosi proposal:
The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimated last year that a full repeal of the SALT limit for 2019 alone would reduce federal revenues by about $77 billion. Americans earning $1 million a year or more would collectively reap $40 billion of those benefits. Most of the rest would go to households earning $200,000 or more.
[...]
Many liberal economic policy analysts also oppose lifting the SALT cap, calling it regressive tax policy. Seth Hanlon, a senior fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress, said the same logic was also a reason not to lift the limit in the next economic rescue bill. That is particularly true because consumption data show that low- and middle-income Americans are more likely than higher earners to spend benefits from the government immediately and stimulate economic activity.
Pelosi's spokesman Henry Connelly claimed in a statement for the Times that the speaker's plan would be means-tested and "tailored to focus on middle-class earners and include limitations on the higher end."
Nonetheless, rolling back the deductions would benefit millionaires and billionaires more than those making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, as activist James Medlock showed on Twitter.
\u201cThe SALT cap debate is mostly people in the second to last group pictured below, ferociously fighting for benefits that will help people in the very last group even more than themselves\u201d— James Medlock (@James Medlock) 1585670861
In a statement, Patriotic Millionaires chair Morris Pearl dismissed Pelosi's plan as "a huge mistake."
"The last people who need help right now are the well-off taxpayers who would be affected by this change," said Pearl. "Congress should instead be prioritizing low-income and middle-class workers most directly hurt by the economic effects of the coronavirus."
Pearl, former managing director of investment firm Blackrock, added that people in his economic bracket were most likely to weather the storm of the pandemic without much economic pain.
"If Democrats want to be the party of working people, prioritizing tax cuts for wealthy taxpayers, even in blue states, is not the right thing to do," said Pearl. "We already have too many politicians in Washington whose answer to every problem is to cut taxes for the rich."