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This page tracked major events and policy positions of the Trump administration and the 115th United States Congress on taxes from 2017 and 2018. This page was updated through 2018. Think something is missing? Please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
On December 22, 2017, President Donald Trump signed HR 1—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—into law. The law lowers tax rates for individuals and corporations, among other things. According to The Wall Street Journal, it is "the biggest transformation of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years."[1]
While signing the bill, Trump said, “This is the bill right here, we’re very proud of it... I consider this very much a bill for the middle class, and for jobs. Corporations are literally going wild for [t]his.”[1]
On November 16, 2017, the House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by a vote of 227-205. On December 2, 2017, the Senate passed the tax bill by a vote of 51-49. All members of the Democratic Caucus and Republican Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) voted against the bill. Because there were differences between the House and Senate versions, a conference committee worked out a final, identical bill, which was released on December 15, 2017.[2][3][4]
On December 19, 2017, the House passed the conference committee version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by a vote of 227-203. The Senate then passed the bill with minor changes made during debate early on December 20, 2017, by a vote of 51-48. The House voted on the bill once again following those changes since both chambers needed to pass identical bills in order for a bill to go to the president's desk. On December 20, 2017, the House passed the final version of the bill.[5][6] An outline of the full bill can be viewed here.
This page outlines major events and policy positions of the Trump administration on taxes. Click on the timeline below to learn more about each headline.
On September 12, 2018, the Senate voted 64-33 to approve the nomination of Charles Rettig as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commissioner. All Republicans present voted with 15 Democrats to in favor of Rettig's nomination. "Democrats had few objections to Mr. Rettig himself. They used the debate over his nomination to highlight concerns with the 2017 tax law and with an IRS decision to let some nonprofit groups involved in politics submit less information about their donors," according to The Wall Street Journal.[8]
After the tax bill was passed, a number of companies made announcements. A sampling of those can be found below.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and President Donald Trump characterized the announcements as confirmation that the tax bill's provision reducing the corporate tax rate to 21 percent would benefit workers. “I was pleased to see America’s corporations standing up almost immediately and saying employees are going to benefit,” said McConnell. Trump tweeted, “The Massive Tax Cuts...will soon be kicking in and will speak for themselves. Companies are already making big payments to workers.”[19]
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (R-N.Y.) did not think that the announcements signaled widespread benefits to workers. A statement released by his office on December 20 said that AT&T "is the exception, not the rule, when it comes to the biggest corporations spending their windfall. … Over the past several weeks, major companies have announced an astonishing $83.7 billion in share buybacks, anticipating the passage of tax reform."[20] (Schumer's office was referring to a practice in which companies buy their own shares to reduce the total number outstanding, thereby increasing earnings per share for shareholders.[21])
On December 27, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), stating that it had "received a number of questions from the tax community concerning the deductibility of prepaid real property taxes," released an advisory on whether prepaid 2018 property taxes would be deductible from 2017 federal taxes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act capped the amount of state and local sales, income, and property taxes that are deductible from federal taxes at $10,000 beginning in 2018. The IRS advisory explained that prepaid 2018 property taxes would only be deductible from 2017 federal taxes (and therefore not subject to the $10,000 cap) if they were paid before the end of 2017 and if the property taxes were assessed before 2018. Timing of property tax assessment varies by state and locality, the advisory noted.[22]
On December 22, 2017, President Donald Trump signed HR 1—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—into law. The law lowers tax rates for individuals and corporations, among other things. According to The Wall Street Journal, it is "the biggest transformation of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years."[1]
While signing the bill, Trump said, “This is the bill right here, we’re very proud of it... I consider this very much a bill for the middle class, and for jobs. Corporations are literally going wild for [t]his.”[1]
On December 15, 2017, the House-Senate conference committee released the conference version of HR 1—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It includes the following:[23][24]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)
On December 19, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference committee version of HR 1—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—by a vote of 227-203. Two hundred and twenty-seven Republicans and no Democrats voted in favor of the bill. One hundred and ninety-one Democrats and 12 Republicans voted against the bill. Two Democrats—Mark Pocan (Wis.) and Joseph Kennedy (Mass.)—did not vote.[5]
Following the vote, President Donald Trump tweeted, "Congratulations to Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Kevin Brady, Steve Scalise, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and all great House Republicans who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!"[26] House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said to reporters, "This is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress has passed in decades to help the American worker, to help grow the American economy. This is profound change, and this is change that is going to put our country on the right path."[27]
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tweeted on Tuesday, "There are few things more disturbing than hearing the swell of cheers from the @HouseGOP as they raise taxes on 86 million middle class families."[28]
Eleven of the 12 Republicans who voted against the conference version of the bill represent districts in California, New Jersey, or New York, states that have relatively high taxes and that may, therefore, be more affected by the reduction of state and local tax deductions than most other states. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who voted against the bill, said, “Many in my area could face higher taxes under this plan. … I will not make the incredible tax burden they already endure even worse." Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), who also voted against the bill, said, “This bill remains a geographic redistribution of wealth, taking extra money from a place like New York to pay for deeper tax cuts elsewhere.”[29]
Rep. Dan McClintock (R-Calif.), who voted against the initial House version but for the conference version of the bill, said of his changed vote, “A lot of it is the overall rate reductions that they built in. … Even families losing tens of thousands of dollars in deductions still end up paying lower tax because of the rate reductions.”[30]
The following 12 Republicans voted against the bill.
Each of the Republican representatives who voted against the conference version of the tax bill also voted against the initial House version of the bill, which passed the chamber on November 16, 2017.[3]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)
On December 20, 2017, the U.S. Senate passed the final version of HR 1—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—by a vote of 51 to 48. Of the chamber's 52 Republicans, 51 voted for the bill. The chamber's 46 Democrats and both independents voted against the bill. One senator, John McCain (R), did not vote. McCain had returned to Arizona on December 17 to recover from chemotherapy.[32]
During debate before the Senate vote, the chamber struck provisions from the bill pertaining to the expansion of tax-exempt savings accounts for homeschooling and criteria that would determine whether universities must pay an excise tax on investment income. The provisions were found by the parliamentarian to violate the Senate's procedural rules for reconciliation legislation.[33][34] The House needed to vote on the exact bill passed by the Senate in order for the bill to go to the president's desk.
On December 20, 2017, the House passed the final version of the tax bill by a 224-201 vote. No Democrats voted for the bill. One hundred and eighty-nine Democrats and 12 Republicans (the same 12 who voted against the conference version on December 19) voted against it. Three Republicans and four Democrats did not vote.[6]
On November 9, 2017, the Senate released its version of the tax bill, and it had some key differences from the House, including a delay in the corporate tax-rate cut, the number of individual tax brackets, and the tax rate for pass-through businesses, among other things. Lawmakers had to work out these differences before voting on a final bill. The bill proposed the following:[35][36]
On November 14, 2017, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that the Senate tax bill would include language to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate that requires every individual to obtain health insurance and carries fines for those who do not. McConnell said, “We’re optimistic that inserting the individual mandate repeal would be helpful and that’s obviously the view of the Senate Finance Committee Republicans as well.” The decision was made to earn the support of Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).[37]
Cotton commented on the decision to include the repeal of the individual mandate in the tax bill, saying, “I’m pleased the Senate Finance Committee has accepted my proposal to repeal the Obamacare individual mandate in the tax legislation. Repealing the mandate pays for more tax cuts for working families and protects them from being fined by the IRS for not being able to afford insurance that Obamacare made unaffordable in the first place. I urge the House to include the mandate repeal in their tax legislation."
On November 14, 2017, the Senate Finance Committee released changes to the tax bill. It included the following:[38][39]
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) commented on the changes, saying, “Remaking the tax code in a way that will lift hardworking, middle-class families has been among the chief goals of our effort. By scrapping this unpopular tax from an unworkable law, we not only ease the financial burdens already associated with the mandate, but also generate additional revenue to provide more tax relief to these individuals. In this revised mark, Americans families will see the child tax credit double and individual rates dip even further. Additionally, the modified mark creates more permanence in our tax system so that American job creators can invest in the long term, grow their business and create new jobs.”[38]
Senate Minority Leaders Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the provision that would repeal the ACA's individual mandate. He said, "The Republicans cannot expect to pass their own separate ideological health-care provision and then turn around and ask Democrats to vote to pass Alexander-Murray. ... It may help Republicans in the Senate give a larger tax break to the rich, but it hurts millions of Americans seeking affordable health insurance. Any Republican senator who thinks they can pass the individual mandate and then turn around and get Murray-Alexander passed is dead wrong." Schumer was referring to a bill introduced by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that would fund ACA payments to insurers for two years. The bill would need bipartisan support for passage.[40]
On November 16, 2017, by a vote of 14-12 along party lines, the Senate Finance Committee approved its version of the tax bill. According to The Wall Street Journal, "The changes included a minor alteration in the tax treatment of carried interest, which would require investment managers to hold assets for at least three years to get lower long-term capital gains rates."[41]
On November 28, 2017, the Senate Budget Committee approved the tax bill by a vote of 12-11 along party lines. Before the vote, Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) had considered voting against the bill, if their concerns with the bill were not addressed. Ultimately, both voted to approve the bill.[42]
On November 29, 2017, the Senate voted to begin debate on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by a vote of 52-48, along party lines. The vote allowed for 20 hours of additional debate on the tax bill followed by a vote-a-rama. During a vote-a-rama, any senator can force a vote on any amendment.[43]
Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) asked senators who were uncertain about some parts of the bill to vote to begin debate. He said, “I encourage any member who thinks that we need to fix the problems of our outdated tax code to vote to proceed to the legislation. I urge them to vote for the motion to proceed and offer their amendments. ...The bottom line is this: we must vote to begin debate.” All Republicans voted to begin debate.[43]
On December 1, 2017, Senate leaders announced that 51 Republicans would vote for the tax bill to secure passage. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was the only Republican who said that he would vote against the bill. For a detailed explanation of where senators stood on the tax bill before the December 2, 2017, vote, click here.
There were many differences between the House and Senate versions of the tax bill. Both chambers had to agree on a final, identical bill before holding a final vote. The House and Senate versions differed in the following ways:
On December 2, 2017, the Senate passed the tax bill by a vote of 51-49. All members of the Democratic Caucus and Republican Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) voted against the bill.[4]
After the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, "This is a great day for the country. We have an opportunity now to make America more competitive, to keep jobs from being shipped offshore and to provide substantial relief for the middle class."[44]
On December 6, 2017, the Senate approved a motion to go to conference with the House on the tax bill by a vote of 51-47. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) did not vote. The Senate and House bill had some key differences, including the number of tax brackets, a delay in the corporate tax rate cut, the child tax credit, the tax rate for pass-through businesses, and repealing ObamaCare's individual mandate, among other things. Lawmakers had to work out these differences before voting on a final bill.[45]
On November 2, 2017, the House GOP released its tax bill, which proposes “the biggest transformation of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years,” according to The Wall Street Journal. The bill proposed the following:[46][47][48][49]
Some elements of the tax bill, including the proposed cap on the mortgage-interest deduction on new home sales, the repeal of state and local tax deductions, and the tax rate on multinational companies’ accumulated offshore earnings, were met with opposition. In response to the opposition, Brady said, “Are there some areas where we’ve asked people to bring solutions? Yeah.”[50]
On November 6, 2017, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-16, along party lines, to approve an amendment offered by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
The amendment included the following, according to Brady and The Wall Street Journal:[51][52]
On November 9, 2017, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-16, along party lines, to approve an amendment offered by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
The amendment included the following, according to Brady and The Wall Street Journal:[53]
On November 9, 2017, the House Ways and Means Committee approved the tax bill by a vote of 24-16 along party lines.[55]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)
By a vote of 227-205, the House passed HR 1—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Two hundred and twenty-seven Republicans and no Democrats voted in favor of the bill. One hundred and ninety-two Democrats and 13 Republicans voted against the bill.[3]
After the bill passed, Trump congratulated House Republicans, writing in a tweet, "Congratulations to the House of Representatives for passing the #TaxCutsandJobsAct — a big step toward fulfilling our promise to deliver historic TAX CUTS for the American people by the end of the year!"[57]
All of the Republicans who voted against the bill, with the exception of Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), represented states with high taxes. They opposed the bill because it "would eliminate the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes and cap the property-tax deduction at $10,000," according to The Hill. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) said, “I just have too many constituents who are going to see their taxes go up or not see the benefit of the tax relief."[58]
The following Republicans voted against the bill:
On December 4, 2017, the House approved a motion to go to conference with the Senate on the tax bill by a vote of 222-192. The Senate and House bill had some key differences, including the number of tax brackets, a delay in the corporate tax rate cut, the child tax credit, and the tax rate for pass-through businesses, among other things. Lawmakers had to work out these differences before voting on a final bill.[59]
A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)
On October 26, 2017, by a vote of 216-212, the House passed the Senate’s version of the budget, which is the first step towards tax reform. Two hundred and sixteen Republicans and no Democrats voted for the resolution. One hundred and ninety-two Democrats and 20 Republicans voted against the resolution. The House voted to pass the Senate's version of the budget instead of going to conference to reconcile differences between the House and Senate resolutions. Passing the budget resolution is the first step for Republicans to initiate the reconciliation process, which is what they will use to pass their tax reform package. Reconciliation prevents Democrats from filibustering the tax proposal and allows Republicans to pass it with a simple majority of 51 votes in the Senate, instead of the usual 60-vote requirement.
The budget resolution proposed maintaining spending at 2017 levels for the year. It proposed cutting nondefense spending in subsequent years, with a $106 billion cut in 2027. It proposed allowing defense spending levels to continue rising at their current rates, reaching $684 billion in 2027. It also proposed cutting $473 billion from Medicare’s baseline spending and about $1 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years. It also allows for tax cuts that reduce revenues and increase deficits by $1.5 trillion over a decade.
Budget resolutions are nonbinding, and they do not require the president’s signature.
The following Republicans voted against the resolution: Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Dan Donovan (N.Y.), John Duncan (Tenn.), John Faso (N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Lynn Jenkins (Kan.), Walter Jones (N.C.), John Katko (N.Y.), Pete King (N.Y.), Leonard Lance (N.J.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), Tom MacArthur (N.J.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Mark Sanford (S.C.), Chris Smith (N.J.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.), and Lee Zeldin (N.Y.).
A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)
On October 18, 2017, by a vote of 51-49, the Senate passed a budget resolution, a key step in moving towards tax reform. A budget resolution had to be passed before moving on to tax reform. One major difference between the House and Senate budget resolutions was that the Senate version allowed for tax cuts that reduced revenues and increased deficits by $1.5 trillion over a decade, while the House version called for revenue-neutral tax legislation that would not increase deficits.[62]
Budget resolutions are nonbinding, and they do not require the president’s signature.
The Trump administration released the following statement on the passage of the budget resolution:
| “ | President Donald J. Trump applauds the Senate for passing its FY 2018 Budget Resolution today and taking an important step in advancing the Administration’s pro-growth and pro-jobs legislative agenda. This resolution creates a pathway to unleash the potential of the American economy through tax reform and tax cuts, simplifying the overcomplicated tax code, providing financial relief for families across the country, and making American businesses globally competitive. President Trump looks forward to final enactment of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution so we can bring jobs back to our country.[64] | ” |
On October 17, 2017, Trump delivered a speech on tax reform at the Heritage Foundation. He said that the plan would help the middle class by increasing the standard deduction, increasing the child tax credit, and simplifying the tax code. He said, “The first $12,000 for a single individual and the first $24,000 for a married couple will be tax-free. We are nearly doubling the zero bracket, and we substantially increased the child tax credit for working families. ...To save Americans precious time and money, we are also simplifying the tax code.”[65]
Trump said that his tax plan would reduce taxes on businesses. He said, “In addition to simplification, the other pillar of our tax plan is reducing our crushing business tax...We will cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent all the way down to not more than 20 percent. … And for small business that file taxes as sole proprietors, S corporations, and partnerships, we will cap the top tax rate at a maximum of 25 percent.”[65]
Trump also noted that the plan would end the estate tax and bring back trillions of dollars held overseas.[65]
He called on supporters of the Heritage Foundation to help pass his administration’s tax reform plan. He said, “Working closely with the Heritage Foundation, Ronald Reagan cut taxes to unleash the economic miracle of the 1980s. You understand that lower taxes mean bigger paychecks, more jobs and stronger growth. At the heart of our plan is a tax cut for everyday working Americans. … The Heritage Foundation can once again help make history by helping to take this incredible idea, this proven idea, this tax cut [and] making it a reality for millions and millions of patriotic Americans.”[66]
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)
On October 5, 2017, by a vote of 219-206, the House passed a budget resolution, a key step in moving towards tax reform. A budget resolution had to be passed before moving on to tax reform. The resolution proposed $6.5 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years. It proposed setting overall discretionary spending for fiscal year 2018 at $1.132 trillion. It proposed tax reform and increased defense and national security spending. It assumed that the American Health Care Act of 2017 would pass. It also proposed cuts to Medicare and nondefense programs.[68]
The Senate approved its budget resolution on October 19, 2017. A final budget resolution was passed on October 26, 2017.
Budget resolutions are nonbinding, and they do not require the president’s signature.
On September 27, 2017, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans released their tax plan—the "Unified Framework For Fixing Our Broken Tax Code." The proposal called for a reduction of income tax brackets from seven to three, with rates of 12 percent, 25 percent, and 35 percent. It called for a doubling of the standard deduction from $6,000 to $12,000 for single filers and $12,000 to $24,000 for married couples. It called for a reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent and a reduction of the small business tax from 39.6 percent to 25 percent. The framework also proposed increasing the child tax credit, eliminating state and local tax deductions, and repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax, among other things.The plan was not a complete tax bill and left several figures and details for the tax-writing committees to work out.[69][70][71][72]
In a speech announcing the tax proposal, Trump said, "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I guess it's probably something I can say that I'm very good at. I've been waiting for this for a long time. We're going to cut taxes for the middle class, make the tax code simpler and more fair for everyday Americans, and we are going to bring back the jobs and wealth that have left our country -- and most people thought left our country for good."[73]
The plan called for the following changes in the tax code:
On September 6, 2017, during a speech in Bismarck, North Dakota, Trump discussed his administration's tax plan. He said, "Our painful tax system has become a massive barrier to America’s economic comeback. It really is; we're penalized. It costs us millions of American jobs, trillions of dollars, and billions of hours wasted on paperwork and on compliance. Our tax code is a giant self-inflicted economic wound. ... My administration is working with Congress to develop a plan that will deliver more jobs, higher pay, lower taxes for businesses of all sizes and middle-class families all across the nation. So it's not only business taxes, it's middle-income families, it's families at every level -- every level, tax cuts. Our tax plan represents a sharp reversal from the failed policy of the past. America’s high tax rates punish companies for doing business in America and encourages them to move to other countries."[74]
In his speech, Trump laid out his four principles for tax reform. They appear below.[74]
During a speech on August 30, 2017, in Springfield, Missouri, Trump discussed his four principles for tax reform, introduced his administration's economic model, and called on Congress to pass his administration's tax proposal.[75]
Trump first introduced his principles for tax reform, saying that he wanted to simplify the tax code, cut taxes for middle-class families, cut taxes for businesses, and encourage companies to bring wealth earned overseas back to the U.S. He then introduced his administration's economic model: "The American Model." He said, "Under this system, we will encourage companies to hire and grow in America, to raise wages for American workers, and to help rebuild our American cities and communities. That is how we will all succeed and grow together, as one team, with one shared sense of purpose, and one glorious American destiny."[75]
He concluded his speech by calling on Congress to pass tax legislation. He said, "So today I’m calling on all members of Congress -- Democrat, Republican and independent -- to support pro-American tax reform. They have to do it. It’s time. They have to do it. It is time. I’m calling on Congress to provide a level playing field for our workers and our companies, to attract new companies and businesses to our shores, and to put more money into the pockets of everyday, hardworking people and also into the pockets of our companies so they can continue to grow and expand."[75]
The First 100 Days
In the first 100 days of the Trump administration, tax policy was changed through the following executive and legislative actions:
Released on April 26, 2017, Trump's tax plan outlined several changes the administration wanted to make to the tax code. According to the administration, the desired changes would be revenue-neutral and simplify the tax code via the elimination of seven tax brackets in favor of three and the elimination of certain kinds of taxes.[76]
Trump's tax plan called for the following:[76]
The plan proposed three income tax brackets. Under Trump's plan, single filers making less than $25,000 would pay 0 percent, those making $25,000 to $50,000 would pay 10 percent, those making $50,000 to $150,000 would pay 20 percent, and those making more than $150,000 would pay 25 percent. Joint filings would fit into the same brackets, but at less than $50,000, $50,000 to $100,000, $100,001 to $300,000, and above $300,000 brackets. The plan estimated that this would remove about 50 percent of current filers from income tax rolls entirely.[76]
According to the administration, the plan would reduce the amount of households paying income taxes by over 73 million, with over 31 million receiving simplification in their taxes. The plan also called for a one-time repatriation of corporate funds held overseas at a 10 percent tax rate. According to the administration, the combination of repatriation taxes and the removal of tax loopholes make the plan revenue neutral.[76]
On April 26, 2017, the day the play was released, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R) stated that the Trump administration's plan was similar to the House plan and that the two were working to reach consensus. In a conference with House GOP members, Ryan said, "We've been briefed on what they're going to do and it's basically along exactly the same lines that we want to go. We see this as progress is being made and we're moving and getting on the same page."[77]
On the day of the plan's release, the Cato Institute praised the proposal, saying that, "All in all, the Trump proposals push tax reform in a good direction. Trump, his advisors, and House leaders seem to understand the urgency of passing major tax reforms." Cato praised the repeal of the estate tax and the reduction of tax brackets. Michael Tanner, a senior fellow at Cato, praised the reduction of the corporate tax rate. Tanner wrote that "lower corporate-tax rates should draw broad bipartisan support. As a reform, corporate-tax cuts are far more likely to help workers than trade wars or minimum-wage hikes. It is hard to see why — beyond reflexive 'resistance' to Trump — anyone would oppose the idea."[78][79]
In a report released on October 18, 2016, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) analyzed the tax proposals Trump made during his campaign. The TPC report concluded that the Trump's proposed tax changes would result in the largest benefits going to the highest-income households and would decrease federal revenue by $6.2 trillion over the first decade. The TPC predicted that this drop in revenue would lead to a rise in the federal debt of $7.2 trillion by 2026 and $20.9 trillion by 2036.[80]
Trump's tax plan faced opposition from Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said he was not opposed to tax cuts, but he questioned whether they would address the deficit and if a corporate tax rate of 15 percent was appropriate. He said, "I’m not convinced that cutting taxes is necessarily going to blow a hole in the deficit; I actually believe it could stimulate the economy and get the economy moving. Now, whether 15 percent is the right figure or not, that’s a matter to be determined.” Representative Leonard Lance (R) praised portions of the plan, but opposed others, saying, "One provision I oppose is the elimination of the state and local tax deduction. New Jersey taxpayers would lose under that plan. I will be a leading voice in negotiations for maintaining that deduction.[81][82]
The Trump administration's plan would reduce the number of tax brackets from seven to three and exclude those making under certain incomes from paying income taxes. The income for each tax bracket would differ depending on whether the tax was filed as a single or jointly.[83]
The marginal income tax rates for 2017 were divided into seven brackets. For single taxable income, the brackets were as follows:
The Trump administration's plan would reduce the tax brackets to three and remove those under $25,000 from paying income taxes.
The marginal income tax rates for 2017 were divided into seven brackets. For joint taxable income, the brackets were as follows:
The Trump administration's plan would reduce the tax brackets to three and remove those under $50,000 from paying income taxes.
The marginal corporate tax rates for 2017 were divided into eight brackets as follows:[84]:
The Trump administration's plan would reduce the corporate tax rate to a flat 15 percent with no brackets.
On April 21, 2017, Trump issued an executive order directing Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin to review all tax regulations and submit a report identifying regulations that met the following criteria:
Below is the full text of the executive order issued by President Donald Trump on April 21, 2017:[85]
Presidential Executive Order on Identifying and Reducing Tax Regulatory Burdens
| “ | IDENTIFYING AND REDUCING TAX REGULATORY BURDENS By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. The Federal tax system should be simple, fair, efficient, and pro-growth. The purposes of tax regulations should be to bring clarity to the already complex Internal Revenue Code (title 26, United States Code) and to provide useful guidance to taxpayers. Contrary to these purposes, numerous tax regulations issued over the last several years have effectively increased tax burdens, impeded economic growth, and saddled American businesses with onerous fines, complicated forms, and frustration. Immediate action is necessary to reduce the burden existing tax regulations impose on American taxpayers and thereby to provide tax relief and useful, simplified tax guidance. Sec. 2. Addressing Tax Regulatory Burdens. (a) In furtherance of the policy described in section 1 of this order, the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) shall immediately review all significant tax regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury on or after January 1, 2016, and, in consultation with the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, identify in an interim report to the President all such regulations that: (i) impose an undue financial burden on United States taxpayers; (ii) add undue complexity to the Federal tax laws; or (iii) exceed the statutory authority of the Internal Revenue Service. This interim report shall be completed no later than 60 days from the date of this order. In conducting the review required by this subsection, earlier determinations of whether a regulation is significant pursuant to Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993, as amended (Regulatory Planning and Review), shall not be controlling. (b) No later than 150 days from the date of this order, the Secretary shall prepare and submit a report to the President that recommends specific actions to mitigate the burden imposed by regulations identified in the interim report required under subsection (a) of this section. The Secretary shall also publish this report in the Federal Register upon submitting it to the President. The Secretary shall take appropriate steps to cause the effective date of such regulations to be delayed or suspended, to the extent permitted by law, and to modify or rescind such regulations as appropriate and consistent with law, including, if necessary, through notice and comment rulemaking. The Secretary shall submit for publication in the Federal Register a summary of the actions taken in response to the report no later than 10 days following the finalization of such actions. Should all such actions not be finalized within 180 days following the submission of the report to the President, the Secretary shall submit for publication in the Federal Register an initial report summarizing the actions taken to that point. (c) To ensure that future tax regulations adhere to the policy described in section 1 of this order, the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall review and, if appropriate, reconsider the scope and implementation of the existing exemption for certain tax regulations from the review process set forth in Executive Order 12866 and any successor order. (d) The Secretary shall cause section 32.1.5.4.7.5.3 of the Internal Revenue Manual to be revised, if necessary to fulfill the directives in subsection (c) of this section. Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
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