Scalise in The Houma Courier: Louisiana Families are Already Seeing the Benefits of the Working Families Tax Cut

WASHINGTON, D.C.-House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) wrote an op-ed in The Houma Courier marking the end of tax season and highlighting how the Working Families Tax is delivering bigger refunds, simpler tax filing, and more money in the pockets of hardworking Louisiana families. Read the full op-ed below or click here.

Steve Scalise: Louisiana seeing benefits of Working Families Tax Cut

This week marks the end of a historic tax season. As people file their taxes for the first time since the Working Families Tax Cut was signed into law, most hardworking Louisiana families are seeing more money in their pockets.

Last year, I proudly worked with President Trump to write and pass into law the Working Families Tax Cut to deliver the largest tax refund season in America's 250 year history! Since then, I've heard from Louisianans throughout our great state who are getting bigger refunds, helping them plan a vacation, save for their children, invest more, or cover day-to-day expenses. In fact, more and more people have told me that instead of owing money this year, they were surprised to actually see a refund for the first time in years.

This is exactly why we passed this historic legislation: to allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money. As this tax season comes to a close, it's clear our policies are delivering: the average tax refund is up 11% from last year because of the Working Families Tax Cut.

Most Louisianans will benefit from the increase in the standard deduction. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 doubled the standard deduction, and the Working Families Tax Cut made this tax relief permanent and increased it to $31,500 for families and $15,750 for individuals. With over 90% of filers claiming the standard deduction nationally, this provision allows millions of hardworking people to keep more of what they earn.

Additionally, many Louisiana families will have more money to spend on raising their kids because the Working Families Tax Cut increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child. The law is also providing expanded childcare access and Trump Accounts to create additional savings opportunities for any American child under the age of 18, with those born between 2025 and 2028 receiving a $1,000 contribution.

I've also heard from many seniors who were thrilled to see a refund this year because of a new deduction for those who are 65 or older. Because of the Working Families Tax Cut, most seniors who receive Social Security can claim a special deduction to offset their taxes - up to $6,000 for seniors filing individually or $12,000 if filing jointly.

The law also eliminated tax on tips and overtime for millions of workers. In fact, the no tax on tips provision is expected to boost individual incomes for qualifying tipped workers by $1,300, and the no tax on overtime provision is expected to boost individual incomes for qualifying workers by $1,400!

President Trump and Congressional Republicans delivered bigger refunds, simpler tax filing, and more money in the pockets of hardworking Louisiana families this tax season. These are just a handful of the many benefits Louisiana families are already seeing from the Working Families Tax Cut. We will continue fighting for policies that make American families more prosperous, with even more great wins ahead.