Top 20 Individual Tax Provisions Under OBBBA

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings permanent tax relief for individuals, with key provisions such as the continuation of TCJA tax rates (10%-37%), an increased Standard Deduction indexed for inflation, and a higher Child Tax Credit of $2,200 per child ($1,700 refundable). The Estate Tax Exemption is raised to $15M, and the Mortgage Interest Deduction cap remains at $750K. 

Other notable changes include expanded 529 Education Plans for broader educational expenses, an Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction, and a permanent Tip Income Deduction. Overtime Pay Deductions and a Senior Deduction offer additional support to working-class taxpayers and retirees. 

The SALT Deduction Cap increases to $40K, while the QBI Deduction for small businesses is made permanent. The QSBS Exclusion is improved to encourage startup investment. Additionally, student loan repayments and educator expense deductions are enhanced, and the Pease Limitation is repealed for high earners. 

These provisions simplify tax filing, lower tax burdens, and support families, small businesses, and retirees with long-term benefits.

Provision 

Definition 

Pre-OBBBA 

Post-OBBBA 

Outcomes / Benefits 

1. Income Tax Rates 

Tax brackets applied to taxable income 

TCJA rates expire in 2026 

TCJA rates (10%-37%) made permanent 

Prevents automatic tax hikes; preserves lower brackets 

2. Standard Deduction 

Fixed amount reducing taxable income 

$14,600 (Single), $29,200 (Married) 

$15,750 (Single), $31,500 (Married); indexed 

Higher deduction lowers tax liability; inflation protection 

3. Child Tax Credit 

Credit per qualifying child under age 17 

$2,000 per child 

$2,200 per child; $1,700 refundable made permanent 

More support for families; helps low-income households 

4. Estate Tax Exemption 

Amount excluded from estate tax 

~$13.99M per individual 

$15M per individual; indexed 

Protects more wealth; simplifies estate planning 

5. Mortgage Interest Deduction 

Deduction for interest on home mortgage 

$750K debt cap; expires 2025 

$750K cap made permanent 

Maintains homeownership incentive 

6. 529 Education Plans 

Tax-advantaged savings for education 

Tuition only; $10K/year cap 

Includes books, tutoring; cap raised to $20K/year 

Supports broader educational expenses 

7. Charitable Deduction (Itemized) 

Deduction for charitable contributions 

No minimum threshold 

Must exceed 0.5% of AGI from 2026 

Encourages larger donations 

8. Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction 

Deduction allowed without itemizing 

NA 

$2,000 (MFJ), $1,000 (Single) from 2026 

Incentivizes giving for standard deduction filers 

9. Tip Income Deduction 

Deduction for reported tip income 

NA 

Up to $25K tax-free; income limits apply 

Benefits service workers 

10. Overtime Pay Deduction 

Deduction for extra hours worked 

NA 

Up to $12.5K (Single) / $25K (Joint); income limits apply 

Supports working-class taxpayers 

11. Auto Loan Interest Deduction 

Deduction for interest on qualifying vehicle loans 

NA 

Up to $10K for U.S.-assembled vehicles 

Promotes domestic auto industry 

12. Trump Accounts 

Tax-free savings accounts for minors 

NA 

$1K gov’t deposit + $5K annual savings 

Encourages early savings; government match 

13. Senior Deduction 

Extra deduction for low-income seniors 

NA 

Up to $6K if income < $75K (Single filer) 

Reduces tax burden for retirees 

14. SALT Deduction Cap 

Deduction for state and local taxes 

$10K cap 

Raised to $40K; phased down for high earners 

Relief for high-tax states; limited for high-income households 

15. QBI Deduction 

20% deduction for pass-through business income 

Expires after 2025 

Made permanent 

Supports small business owners 

16. Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions 

Deductions for unreimbursed expenses (e.g., tax prep) 

Suspended under TCJA 

Permanently disallowed 

Simplifies tax filing 

17. Pease Limitation Repeal 

Limits on itemized deductions for high earners 

Applies to high-income taxpayers 

Permanently repealed 

High earners retain full deductions 

18. QSBS Exclusion 

Exclusion of gains from sale of qualified small business stock 

100% after 5 years 

50% (3 yrs), 75% (4 yrs), 100% (5 yrs); higher asset limits 

Encourages startup investment; faster gain exclusion 

19. Student Loan Repayment Exclusion 

Employer-paid student loan amounts excluded from income 

Up to $5,250 excluded 

Made permanent; indexed for inflation 

Reduces taxable income; supports education 

20. Educator Expense Deduction 

Allows teachers to deduct classroom expenses. 

Capped at $250 

Fully deductible as itemized expense 

Teachers can deduct full out-of-pocket classroom expenses 

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