2025 U.S. Tax Legislation Forecast: What to Expect
Service2Client

2025 U.S. Tax Legislation ForecastAs 2025 unfolds, U.S. tax policy is poised for significant shifts, particularly with a new Republican administration under President Donald Trump. The year ahead will likely see a range of tax reforms, largely driven by the GOP’s objectives and campaign promises. In this article, we’ll explore the major tax policy trends, legislative developments, and administration changes that may shape U.S. tax law in 2025.

The Impact of Supreme Court Decisions

2024 also saw two major Supreme Court decisions with significant tax implications. In the Moore case, the Court ruled narrowly on the issue of wealth taxation, leaving open the possibility of revisiting the question in the future. While wealth tax proposals had gained some traction among Democrats, the Court’s decision, combined with the political climate, suggests that such proposals are unlikely to gain much momentum under the new administration.

The Loper Bright decision, which questioned the deference given to government regulations, could have far-reaching effects on tax policy. The ruling makes it more difficult for agencies like the IRS to issue regulations without clear legislative guidance, potentially leading to more legal challenges to IRS regulations and shifting the balance of power between lawmakers and regulatory agencies.

2025: A New Republican Agenda

With a Republican administration taking office in 2025, tax policy is expected to shift dramatically. President Trump, along with a Republican-controlled Senate and House, will likely push for several key changes to tax law.

One of the primary objectives will be to extend provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that are set to expire. This includes individual tax cuts, corporate rate reductions and changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. The extension of other expiring provisions involving lifetime gift and estate tax exemptions, AMT, child tax credits, and the mortgage interest deduction may also be on the table. Additionally, the GOP is expected to explore new tax cuts, with some lawmakers proposing measures like eliminating taxes on tips, which was promoted during Trump’s election campaign.

On the corporate side, there may be discussions about lowering the effective tax rate through credits and incentives rather than direct reductions to the statutory corporate tax rate. There also could be movement on tax expensing for research and development, as well as other measures to incentivize business investment.

Potential Revenue-Raising Measures

Despite the tax cuts expected to dominate the agenda, there may be some revenue-raising measures included in the GOP’s tax proposals. The focus on reducing deficits could lead to efforts to cut some of the green credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, although these cuts are unlikely to raise significant revenue. There also may be attempts to tighten international tax rules from the TCJA to generate more revenue.

President Trump has also proposed replacing individual income taxes with increases in tariffs, implementing a universal 20 percent tariff across the board, and implementing an additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China.

IRS Funding and Administration Changes

Under the new administration, the IRS is expected to face significant cuts, particularly in its enforcement budget. The $80 billion allocated to the agency in recent years, which was intended to improve taxpayer services and combat tax evasion, is likely to be rolled back. Republicans have expressed strong opposition to the IRS’ expanded powers and are expected to push for a reallocation of those funds toward customer service rather than enforcement.

Additionally, the new administration may replace current IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, who was appointed during the Biden administration. Trump could nominate a new commissioner, and if this happens, it could spark further debates over the direction of the IRS in the coming years.

Conclusion

2025 promises to be a dynamic year for U.S. tax policy, with significant changes expected under the new Republican administration. Key issues to watch include the fate of the TCJA’s expiring provisions, potential new tax cuts, and ongoing debates over IRS funding and regulations. As the administration works to implement its agenda, there will likely be contentious discussions and compromises on Capitol Hill, setting the stage for a new era of tax policy in the United States.


Disclaimer 

Have any questions, give us a call here at Metro Tax & Financial Services.
We are here to help you get through the stress of taxes!

We offer a free 30-minute consultation so call us and let’s get your appointment set up (928) 680-1444

For more Tax Facts make sure you are following us on Facebook

Click HERE for more Tax Facts and Financial News

Suggested Articles

The Low Down on Student Loans and Taxes:

Student Loans Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash Let's now talk about Student Loans and Taxes. In 2020, the National Center of Educational Statistics stated that over 19.7 million students were likely to attend the fall semester, either online or in person. On...

Reasons to Consider Out-of-State Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds (also known as munis) are issued by a state or local government. Interest income is typically paid out twice a year and is not subject to federal taxes. When an investor purchases a bond issued from his own state, the income is generally not subject to...

Tax Fact: About HSA

Tax Fact: Did you know that an HSA (health savings account) can provide some of the best tax-saving benefits? Contributions to an HSA can be deducted from your taxes. You'll need a qualifying high deductible health plan to be eligible to contribute to an HSA, though,...

Startup Businesses: Expenses

Expenses Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash Many startup businesses can deduct expenses that were necessary for the business coming to life. Last time we talked about all the tax needs a startup business will need, but let's talk about business expenses. Things like a...

Building Deeper Customer Connections: Leveraging Web3 for Loyalty, Community, and Engagement

Competition in business today has become fierce. Each organization is constantly looking for innovative ways to form strong relationships with its customers. Loyalty programs have been used for a long time to build a devoted customer base. As technology advances, new...

Unemployment Changes for 2021

For many this tax season, the unemployment benefits seemed to challenge taxes and income brackets for many Americans. Policymakers have allowed filers to use 2019 EIC (earned income credit) since 2020 provided fewer opportunities for many; however, the American Rescue...

Common Business Accounting Calculations

No matter the type of business or industry, being able to analyze and deduce patterns is essential to discovering a business’ financial health. Here are four commonly used calculations to help internal and external stakeholders determine an organization's...

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023: More Retirement Income for Teachers, Police, Firefighters & Gov. Workers

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, formally known as H.R. 82, aimed at ending two provisions in the Social Security system that affect public sector employees who have earned pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. These provisions are the Windfall...

Strategic Roth IRA Conversions: Maximizing Retirement Income While Minimizing Taxes

For many high-income earners and those approaching retirement, a Roth IRA conversion represents a strategic financial move that can significantly impact long-term wealth preservation. This approach allows you to restructure your retirement savings in a way that could...

5 New Year’s Financial Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Yep, it’s the end of another year! Chances are, you didn’t keep every resolution you made last year, for example, those goals about working out. (No shame here; we all do this!) However, the good news is that your fiscal goals can be a bit easier to...