Income Insights: Understanding the SALT Deduction

Understanding the SALT Deduction

The SALT deduction, which stands for state and local tax deduction, allows taxpayers to deduct certain taxes paid to state and local governments from their federal taxable income.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 introduced a cap on the SALT deduction. For tax years 2018 through 2025, the maximum amount of state and local taxes that can be deducted is $10,000 ($5,000 for married couples filing separately), including:

State income taxes: This includes taxes on income imposed by state governments.

Local income taxes: Taxes levied by local jurisdictions, such as cities or counties, can also be deducted.

Sales taxes: Taxpayers have the option to deduct either state and local income taxes or state and local sales taxes, but not both. Taxpayers can choose to deduct sales taxes based on actual expenses or using a specified table provided by the IRS.

Property taxes: Real estate taxes on property owned by the taxpayer are deductible.

To claim the SALT deduction, taxpayers must itemize their deductions using Schedule A of their federal tax return. Taxpayers who opt for the standard deduction cannot claim SALT deductions.

Remember to keep detailed records of state and local tax payments to substantiate deductions. This is particularly important for those itemizing their deductions to ensure compliance with IRS requirements. For more on the types of expenses that qualify as itemized deductions, read “Understanding Itemized Deductions.”

Allspring Global Investments does not provide accounting, legal, or tax advice or investment recommendations. Any tax or legal information on this page is merely a summary of our understanding and interpretations of some of the current income tax regulations and is not exhaustive. Investors should consult their tax advisor or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.