This bill designates the District of Columbia as the nation's "Tech for Good Capital" and creates a new tax incentive program for technology companies that develop solutions for public-interest challenges. To qualify for a real property tax abatement, these companies must be based in the District and primarily focused on areas such as civic engagement, public health, climate resilience, and education. The legislation also establishes a working group to create a marketing strategy and authorizes the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to support innovation clusters aimed at strengthening the local economy.
This bill temporarily delays real property tax sales in Washington, D.C., by cancelling a sale scheduled for July 15, 2026, and prohibiting any future sales until at least September 20, 2026. It directly affects property owners who received notices of tax delinquency, requiring the Chief Financial Officer to mail them official notice of the cancellation. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes a provision that it will automatically expire 225 days after becoming active.
The Wealth Proceeds Tax Amendment Act of 2026 proposes a new 3 percent surcharge on passive income, such as capital gains, dividends, and interest, for high-income District of Columbia residents. This tax would apply to individuals earning over $400,000 annually and married couples earning over $500,000, targeting wealth generated without active labor. The legislation amends the local tax code to create a permanent provision for this surcharge, which is estimated to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the city's general fund. By taxing unearned income from investments, the bill aims to broaden the tax base and reduce reliance on funding cuts to essential services like housing and healthcare.
The Tax Sale Equity Amendment Act of 2026 updates the District of Columbia's tax sale laws to modernize procedures and strengthen protections for property owners. It expands the types of taxes that can be collected through tax sales and introduces a cost-of-living adjustment for attorney fees to ensure they keep pace with inflation. The bill also clarifies the rules for redeeming property after a tax sale and establishes a 90-day window for owners to claim their equity or make required payments. Additionally, it adjusts the amount of additional fees payable to the Recorder of Deeds and updates the list of expenses that can be claimed if a foreclosure judgment is reopened. These changes aim to create a fairer and more transparent process for both property owners and tax sale purchasers.
This bill, titled the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2026, authorizes funding and sets policy rules to support the District of Columbia government's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It directly affects city employees, residents, businesses, and various government agencies by establishing new or modified programs across multiple sectors. Key provisions include updates to telework policies, adjustments to employee leave benefits, reforms to lobbying fee structures, and changes to housing and economic development regulations. The legislation also clarifies administrative procedures for grants, building codes, public safety initiatives, and the transition of mayoral powers. By enacting these measures on an emergency basis, the bill aims to ensure the smooth operation of city services and the implementation of planned fiscal strategies for 2027.
Tags
Public Safety
The Meals Tax Relief Amendment Act of 2026 reduces the sales tax on restaurant meals in Washington, D.C., to align it with the general sales tax rate. This change directly affects residents, visitors, and local dining establishments by lowering the tax from 10 percent to 6 percent through September 30, 2027, and then to 7 percent starting October 1, 2027. The bill achieves this by adjusting the specific tax rate applied to food and drinks prepared for immediate consumption while leaving other taxes unchanged. Once enacted, the legislation will take effect after approval by the Mayor and a mandatory 30-day congressional review period.
This bill modifies the District of Columbia's property tax system by switching from biannual to quarterly payments and updating how land values are assessed. The quarterly payment change aims to improve the city's cash flow by aligning revenue collection more closely with when expenses are due. Additionally, the legislation requires future property assessments to separately value the land itself from any buildings or structures on it, ensuring that tax rates applied to land remain consistent regardless of improvements. These adjustments are designed to create a more stable revenue stream and lay the groundwork for future tax reforms without currently raising tax rates.
This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to approve specific modifications to an existing contract with All Pro All Services for school transportation services. The legislation allows the government to pay up to $3,914,025 for these transportation services during the 2026 fiscal year. By passing this act, the Council formally validates the contract changes and enables the release of funds to the contractor. The measure is designated as an emergency bill to ensure that school transportation can continue without interruption.
This bill amends the District of Columbia's tax code to ensure that the Reservoir District development project can continue using specific income limits set by the federal government to determine which residents qualify for affordable housing units. The legislation addresses a discrepancy between local zoning rates and federal standards that could otherwise make the project financially unviable, potentially delaying the construction of new homes and a grocery store. By clarifying that the project must adhere to the 80 percent income limit category established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the bill aims to secure the project's funding and allow it to proceed as planned.
This bill updates the District of Columbia's corporate tax rules by switching from the Joyce method to the Finnigan method for calculating how much income from a group of related companies should be taxed in the city. The change directly affects businesses that operate as a single unit across multiple locations, requiring them to file a combined tax return and share joint liability for the tax owed. Key provisions redefine how a "unitary business" is identified and establish new rules for selecting which company in the group will file the return and how income is apportioned. Additionally, the legislation clarifies definitions for terms like "tax haven" and "nexus" to ensure the tax code accurately reflects modern business structures.
