Budget & Taxes (Tax Credits)

Lower Health Care Costs Act This bill extends for three years, through 2028, temporary changes enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit.  Currently, eligible taxpayers may be able to claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To be eligible for the premium tax credit, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA eliminated the maximum income limit, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit. Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is (1) generally the plan premium (conditions apply), minus (2) the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage is a specific percentage that varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA lowered the applicable percentages and eliminated the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit. The bill extends for three years, through 2028, the elimination of the 400% maximum income limit, the lower applicable percentages, and the elimination of the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages.

This bill creates a 33% refundable tax credit for flood insurance premiums paid by homeowners for their primary residences through the National Flood Insurance Program. It directly affects homeowners in flood-prone areas who purchase required flood insurance, with the credit phased out for higher-income households (above 350% of the federal poverty line). The credit reduces income tax liability and is refundable, meaning it can result in a cash payment even if no tax is owed. The bill also prevents deducting premiums covered by the credit and establishes advance payments through the IRS to provide upfront financial assistance.

HR 2097 creates a new federal tax credit allowing parents to claim up to $10,000 annually per child for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses at public, private, parochial, or religious schools. It covers tuition, required fees, specific technology, tutoring, disability services, and transportation to private schools, but excludes uniforms, athletics, or nonacademic fees. The credit phases out for households earning above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint). This directly affects families paying for K-12 education, expanding tax relief beyond current education benefits. The policy change takes effect for tax years after the bill’s enactment.

The RAISE Act of 2025 creates a refundable tax credit for K-12 teachers and early childhood educators based on their school's student poverty rate, with a base $1,000 credit plus potential additional amounts up to $14,000 for K-12 teachers and $9,000 for early childhood educators without bachelor's degrees. It also increases the deductible expense limit for teachers from $250 to $500 per year and establishes mandatory funding for school districts that maintain or increase teacher salaries, reserving 20% of funds over $2.2 billion for teacher salary incentive grants. The bill includes provisions to prevent employers from using the tax credit in collective bargaining or changing teacher assignments to avoid providing the credit. Eligibility requires specific teaching credentials and employment in qualifying schools with high poverty rates. These changes would apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

This bill creates two new federal tax credits to support U.S. port crane manufacturing. It offers a 25% tax credit for businesses investing in new port crane manufacturing facilities (e.g., buildings, equipment) and a production credit of 40% or 60% of the sale price for port cranes sold domestically, with the higher rate requiring 90% U.S.-made component materials. The credits apply to facilities and production through 2035, directly affecting manufacturers of port cranes, their components, or related equipment located in the U.S. The legislation specifies exact definitions for "port crane" (e.g., gantry cranes at ports) and "component materials" to determine eligibility.

The Home Run for Kids Act would create a new federal tax credit allowing parents or guardians to deduct up to $200 per year for equipment costs related to their dependent children's participation in organized sports, games, or hobby programs for kids under 19. The credit applies only to equipment (not fees or other expenses) and phases out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income above $150,000. It would take effect for tax returns filed in 2024 and later.

This bill creates a 50% tax credit for individuals purchasing qualified mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, braces, or prosthetics. The credit applies to costs paid after the bill's enactment, covers up to three devices per year, and prevents double benefits by reducing other deductions for the same expenses. It directly affects people who buy these devices for mobility needs, allowing them to claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. The credit is designed to offset out-of-pocket costs for essential mobility equipment.

This bill allows disaster victims to use their previous year's income instead of current year's income when calculating eligibility for the child tax credit and earned income credit. It directly affects taxpayers whose homes or workplaces were in a federally declared disaster zone during the disaster period, or those displaced from their homes due to the disaster. Key provisions let eligible individuals elect to substitute their prior taxable year's earned income for the current year in credit calculations, simplifying access to relief after income disruptions. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill creates a 10% federal tax credit for businesses that install qualified combined heat and power (CHP) systems - systems generating both electricity and useful thermal energy (like steam or heating) with at least 60% overall efficiency. It directly affects commercial entities, industrial facilities, and organizations building new CHP systems that meet specific efficiency standards (producing at least 20% thermal energy and 20% electrical power). The credit includes a 10% bonus for systems using domestically manufactured components or located in designated energy communities, and excludes systems exceeding 50 megawatts in capacity. The credit applies to systems placed in service after December 31, 2024, with detailed definitions for qualifying systems in the tax code.

The Local Journalism Sustainability Act creates three tax credits to support local news organizations. Individuals can claim a credit of up to $250 per year for local newspaper subscriptions (80% in first year, 50% after), with newspapers required to serve local communities and employ local journalists. Local newspaper publishers can receive a payroll tax credit for hiring local news journalists (50% for first four quarters, 30% after), and small businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees can claim a credit for advertising in local media (up to $5,000 in first year, $2,500 thereafter). All credits expire after five years and apply only to qualifying local newspapers, radio stations, or television stations serving specific communities.