Tax on Tips

The federal deductions for up to $25,000 in tipped income, for a similar amount of overtime pay, and for some auto loan payments have not been widely adopted by states. As of late June, only 10 states – a quarter of the states with personal income taxes — have decided to allow the tipped income deduction for tax year 2026.

Nearly one year after the Trump tax law was signed, many of the 42 states with income taxes are declining to incorporate significant parts of the new law into their own tax codes.

As we head into summer, many state legislatures are in the final stretches of their sessions. Rhode Island moved another step closer to joining the ranks of Washington, Maine, and Hawai’i in enacting a new high-income surcharge this year.

This week Hawaiʻi lawmakers reached a compromise to balance the state budget and maintain tax cuts for most residents by, in part, raising rates on the richest Hawaiians. Other states are working to generate revenue from their wealthiest residents, too.

State legislative sessions are wrapping up, and final tax and budget packages are making their way to governors’ desks.

While some may be excited for a romantic Valentine’s Day this weekend, many state lawmakers are breaking up and decoupling from recent federal tax changes that are poised to leave states with revenue shortfalls – much like a bad date who forgets their wallet and asks you to pick up the tab.

Despite wintry conditions across much of the country, that hasn’t stopped state lawmakers from debating major tax policy changes.

As state legislative sessions ramp up across the country, property taxes are one of many issues dominating tax policy conversations in statehouses.

It’s wildly inappropriate for a U.S. Treasury Secretary to lean on states to adopt or not adopt specific federal provisions in their own state tax codes.