Sioux City Times

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra from Hull, Iowa, has played a pivotal role in introducing the Permanent Tax Cuts for American Families Act in Congress. The legislation, supported by U.S. Rep. Max Miller from Ohio, aims to make the enhanced standard deduction, a provision of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), permanent. Without congressional action, this enhanced deduction is set to expire by the end of 2025.

Rep. Feenstra expressed concern over the potential implications if the enhanced standard deduction is allowed to expire. "In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction that American families, farmers, and workers could claim on their federal taxes. This enhanced standard deduction increased Iowans’ non-taxable income and has let taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money. However, if Congress fails to act before the end of this year, the standard deduction would be almost slashed in half and lead to massive tax hikes on Americans," he said.

Feenstra is committed to preventing what he describes as the largest tax hike in U.S. history on Iowa families. "I’m glad to help introduce the Permanent Tax Cuts for American Families Act to maintain the increased standard deduction and prevent the largest tax hike in U.S. history on Iowa families and workers. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I will continue working with my Republican colleagues and President Trump to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and advance pro-growth economic policies,” he added.

The TCJA historically increased the standard deduction, raising it from $6,500 to $12,000 for individual filers and from $13,000 to $24,000 for joint filers. For the tax year 2024, the standard deduction saw a further increase to $29,200 for married couples filing jointly and $14,600 for individuals.