I explained that in my previous posts, but I'll go over it once again. Beginning to wonder if anyone knows how this works.
The standard deduction is roughly $30k for a married couple filing jointly.
You can either itemize or take the standard.
If you choose to itemize, under the current proposal, $40k of SALT can be deducted.
$30k (standard) - $40k (itemized) = -$10k (difference). Essentially, with SALT at $40k, you can only save an additional amount on $10k deducted (vs the unlimited amount pre-2017).
Oh, AND...it's phased out at $500k in AGI.
Furthermore, all of the GOP in the house are OK with this. I don't love it, but I am too, OK with it.
Once again, the GOP is going to shoot themselves in the foot. Then in 2028 we will go back to another democratic president. What's funny is even Trump knows the $40k SALT cap is fair, if anything, a "mere pittance." Lose VA in the 2028 election? Lose other marginal SALT states? All because you don't want to give $10k in deductions to a very minimal population set, in a specific income corridor? It actually makes me wonder if the senators voting on it actually even know how it works lol.
Now on the other hand, someone can go out and deduct $750,000 in mortgage interest. Many people could argue: "Well, do you you really need a $750,000 mortgage?" It's YOUR decision to live in that big of a house. Mortgage interest at 6.75% on $750,000 balance is about $40k-$50k in the first year.
I understand how it works... I didnt need an explanation... For what its worth my wife is an executive accountant with 30+ years of experience and Ive managed investment accounts and tax liabilities for companies with 9 figure revenue streams and 8 figures in cash assets.. Ive got a pretty good hold on how tax deductions work both corporately and individually..
How it works doesn't answer the question that you quoted...
By your own admission middle class is a relative term.. what it means in one place isn't the same thing as somewhere else..
we've also established that cost of living and standard of living are two different things and that they are also different everywhere..
So how exactly is $40K a "fair" number for everyone?
You made a very specific statement.. $40K is fair..
don't explain how SALT works...
explain how $40K is equally fair for a San Fransisco resident making $253K a year living a "middle class" lifestyle as it is for a someone doing similar work in Chicago where middle class is pegged at $148K a year... as it is for someone in Dallas where middle class is pegged at $140K a year.. as it is for someone in Arlington Virginia where the magic number to be "middle class" is $251K? How is everyone getting fair and equitable relief from the same SALT dollar value?
$10K is $10K to everyone regardless of income levels ..
but a $10K as a % of a $250K income vs a $140K income is significantly different.. when considering tax brackets, standard of living, etc..etc..
I don't disagree that its a pittance and will actually have very limited impact on middle class families.. it certainly wont change anyone's quality of life.. it will merely put a few more discretionary dollars in a group of peoples pockets.. which is why I genuinely don't care if the number is $10K or $40K..
What I disagree with is your invalid arguments that you continue to make in support of your position/opinion...
No, NJ isn't carrying the rest of the country..
No, $40K isn't a fair number.. nothing is actually "fair" when it comes to taxation the way the code is constructed in the US... no specific number is "fair" for everyone..
No, you cant compare the population of a city with the population of a state and get a true apples to apples comparison..
etc..etc..etc..
you've made it pretty clear.. you are being selfish.. you want YOUR deduction.. you want what suits YOU best.. and could care less about what might be right for the majority of Americans... which I believe is problematic in and of itself..