I have been thinking about how to write to my Rep Senator and Representative about the tax bill. I want to keep it focused and direct, keying in on concerns they have some chance of listening to.
Here is what I came up with:
This bill increases the federal deficit. ( I know they don’t really care but I want to point out that it is a fact and that taxpayers care about this. They do pretend to care about deficits.)
My taxes will go UP. The standard deduction is going up but the personal exemptions are being eliminated. This is just about a wash. My state and local income taxes are no longer deductible. This will mean a net increase in my taxable income, considering all the changes in deductions, exemptions, and state/local tax deductions. I do not live in an extremely high state/local tax state but I do pay a sizable amount each year.
I think there are more states than NY, NJ, and CA that have significant state and local income taxes. I saw a diary today that there are 27 Republican Reps in those 3 states. People in other states with higher state and local income taxes should also write to their Republicans in Congress and point this out — this bill means a tax INCREASE for most anyone who pays state and local income tax. It is not just NY, NJ, and CA.
Property taxes — I think the current bill caps this deduction at $10,000. Alot of people pay more than 10,000 in property taxes, including here in PA. If you pay more than $10,000 in real estate taxes (this is how most schools are funded) you will see a tax INCREASE.
I am keeping my emails to my Senator and Rep. focused on these issues in the hope that they may pay attention.
I would be interested to hear other ideas about what to write to Republicans in Congress about this tax bill.
