PTE Tax Savings for California Taxpayers Under the New $40,000 SALT Cap
Cap High-income taxpayers in California have long felt the pinch of the federal SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction cap . For years, the limit was stuck at $10,000 , leaving many unable to deduct the full amount of state and property taxes they paid. Now, with the new legislation raising the cap to $40,000 (or $20,000 if married filing separately), there’s fresh opportunity for savings. But here’s the twist: California’s Pass-Through Entity (PTE) tax election is still very relevant. In many cases, combining the new $40,000 cap with a PTE election can lead to even greater tax savings . Let’s break it down. What Changed with the SALT Deduction? Old rule: Since 2018, taxpayers could only deduct up to $10,000 of state income and property taxes combined. New rule (2025–2027): The cap is now $40,000 (or $20,000 if married filing separately). 👉 But the $40,000 cap phases down for higher earners. For example, if your income is over $500,000 (single) or $1,000,000 (...