New 2025 Tax Deductions & Credits: Key Opportunities Through 2028
The 2025 Tax and Budget Reconciliation Act introduces a range of new tax deductions and credits targeted toward working families, retirees, and middle-income households. Most of these provisions are temporary, available only through 2028, which makes strategic tax planning essential over the next few years.
Below is a breakdown of the most impactful changes:
🔹 SALT Deduction Cap Quadrupled
The cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction increases from $10,000 to $40,000 for households with AGI under $500,000.
The deduction phases out between $500,000 and $600,000 AGI; above $600,000, the cap reverts to $10,000.
✅ Planning Tip: A significant opportunity for clients in high-tax states or with substantial property tax and state income tax liabilities.
🔹 New Deduction for Tipped & Overtime Income
Tip Income Deduction: Up to $25,000 of qualifying cash tip income deductible for AGIs under $150,000.
Overtime Deduction:
Up to $12,500 for single filers
Up to $25,000 for joint filers
Both deductions phase out above $150,000 (single) or $300,000 (joint).
Effective for tax years 2025–2028.
✅ Planning Tip: Ideal for hospitality, service industry professionals, and employees working extra hours in peak income years.
🔹 New Auto Loan Interest Deduction
Taxpayers earning under $100,000 (or $200,000 for joint filers) can now deduct up to $10,000 annually in interest paid on loans for U.S.-assembled vehicles.
Available for tax years 2025 through 2028.
✅ Planning Tip: Consider timing your next vehicle purchase or refinancing decision to take advantage of this deduction.
🔹 Senior Deduction Reinstated
Seniors aged 65 and older can now deduct up to $6,000, or $12,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Phaseout begins at modified AGI of $75,000 (single) and $150,000 (joint); fully phased out at $175,000 and $250,000, respectively.
Effective beginning tax year 2025.
✅ Planning Tip: Consider income smoothing or gifting strategies if your AGI approaches the phaseout range.
🔹 Expanded Child Tax Credit
Credit increased to $2,200 per qualifying child starting in 2025 (up from $2,000).
Will revert to $2,000 in 2029, with inflation-based adjustments thereafter.
Existing phase-in and income-based eligibility rules still apply.
✅ Planning Tip: Adjust your withholdings or quarterly estimates to reflect the new credit amount if eligible.
🔹 New Tax-Deferred Children’s Savings Accounts
Introduced in 2025, these new accounts offer a tax-deferred way to save up to $1,000 per child annually.
Annual contribution cap: $1,000 per child
Total limit: $5,000 per taxpayer per year
Eligible expenses include education, trust funding, or other IRS-qualified uses
Tax-free withdrawals if used for qualified expenses
✅ Planning Tip: Start contributions early in the year to maximize compound growth potential.
Strategic Planning Insight
With many of these tax breaks scheduled to expire after 2028, now is the time to optimize your tax strategy. Consider:
Stacking SALT payments into high-income years
Timing vehicle purchases or loan refinancing
Adjusting withholdings to account for the expanded Child Tax Credit
Contributing early to children’s savings accounts to capture growth