Louisiana House Bill HB650

Louisiana 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/19/17
• Refer: 4/20/17

Caption

Reduces the amount of the individual income tax deduction for excess federal itemized personal deductions

Impact

If enacted, HB 650 will primarily affect individual income tax calculations for taxpayers starting with tax years beginning on January 1, 2017. By decreasing the allowable deductions, the bill could lead to a higher effective tax burden on constituents who rely on these deductions to lower their taxable income. This change will directly influence the financial planning and tax strategies of taxpayers in Louisiana, particularly affecting those itemizing deductions on their federal tax forms.

Summary

House Bill 650 aims to alter the way excess federal itemized personal deductions are treated in the calculation of state income taxes in Louisiana. Under current law, taxpayers can claim these deductions at 100% on their state tax returns. However, the proposed changes would reduce this to either 57.5% of the excess deductions or allow claims for the entire amount of qualified residence interest and certain charitable contributions, thus introducing more limitations on taxpayers’ ability to offset their tax liability with these deductions.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 650 appears to be mixed. Supporters of the bill may argue that the reduction in deductions is a necessary measure to improve state revenues and provide fiscal stability. Opponents, however, may express concerns that decreasing tax benefits will disproportionately impact lower and middle-income taxpayers who may depend on these deductions to alleviate their tax payments, leading to increased financial strain on those communities.

Contention

The contention around the bill seems to stem from the balance between state revenue needs and taxpayer relief through deductions. Advocates for the bill may emphasize its potential contribution to the state's fiscal strength, while critics may focus on the long-term impacts on taxpayers, suggesting that the changes could undermine financial well-being for many. Notably, defining terms such as 'qualified residence interest' and 'charitable contributions' in accordance with federal standards could lead to legal complexities and confusion among taxpayers.