8 ways Trump's bill will change your taxes
The 'big beautiful bill' was recently signed into law. Here's what it might mean for your wallet.


President Donald Trump signed his so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" into law on the Fourth of July, which means the provisions of the sweeping spending and tax legislation will soon take effect. But what exactly does it mean for your wallet?
The bill introduces new tax breaks, increases some existing deductions and exemptions, and puts an end to certain green energy provisions. Here is what to know.
1. The SALT deduction will increase
The state and local tax deduction (SALT) offers a federal deduction for state and local income taxes and property taxes for those who itemize their deductions. Under the new bill, the cap "would quadruple to $40,000 for five years," said The Associated Press, which is especially "important to New York and other high tax states."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. Standard deductions will go up, with a bonus for seniors
The new bill would make permanent the higher standard deduction, which "doubled in 2017," said Fidelity. The standard deduction would also go "up from $15,000 to $15,750 (single) and $30,000 to $31,500 (married filing jointly) in 2025," with amounts indexed for inflation thereafter, said CNBC.
Seniors get an extra bump — those who are eligible will see "a $6,000 boost to their standard deduction from 2025 through 2028," said CNN Politics.
3. The child tax credit will get a bit higher
The legislation "would permanently beef up the child tax credit to $2,200 per kid," up from the current $2,000," CNN Politics said, giving "many parents" a "larger tax break."
4. Overtime pay and tips will get a tax break
Under the new bill through 2028, there is an "above-the-line deduction for tips earned by workers in occupations that traditionally receive tips" and a deduction on overtime pay, said CNBC Make It. Caps and income limits apply.
5. New auto loans will get a new deduction opportunity
Another provision in the bill is a "deduction of up to $10,000 for new auto loans," available if your loan was "taken out after Dec. 31, 2024 for a U.S.-assembled car, minivan, van, sport utility vehicle, pickup truck or motorcycle for personal use," said CNBC Make It.
6. Green energy provisions will go away sooner
The tax and spending bill puts an early end to certain green energy provisions. "Taxpayers who want tax credits on new or previously owned 'clean' vehicles must now place them in service by Sept. 30, 2025 — not the end of 2032," said The Wall Street Journal. Additionally, the "deadline for qualifying for the energy-efficient home improvement credit is now Dec. 31, 2025, not the end of 2032, and the deadline for qualifying for the residential clean energy credit is now Dec. 31, 2025, not the end of 2034."
7. The estate and gift tax exemption will go up
The lifetime gift and estate tax exclusions have already "more than doubled since 2017," said Fidelity. They will now further "increase to $15 million for single filers from $13.99 million and to $30 million from $27.98 million for those who are married filing jointly."
8. There will be a charitable deduction for non-itemizers
Another addition is an "above-the-line deduction on charitable contributions," which "allows taxpayers who don't itemize to deduct up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly," said CNBC Make It.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She previously served as a deputy editor and later a managing editor overseeing investing and savings content at LendingTree and as an editor at the financial startup SmartAsset, where she focused on retirement- and financial-adviser-related content. Before that, Becca was a staff writer at The Week, primarily contributing to Speed Reads.
-
One great cookbook: 'The Cook You Want to Be'
The Week Recommends And the way you want to eat — now
-
'We should all ask ourselves: When we laugh, who's hurting?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
IDF blames 'error' for strike on Gaza water line
Speed Read Israeli forces attack Palestinians, including children, collecting water in central Gaza
-
3 questions to ask when deciding whether to repair or replace your broken appliance
the explainer There may be merit to fixing what you already have, but sometimes buying new is even more cost-effective
-
How to navigate buying and selling a home at the same time
The Explainer Schedule the swap to reap the most financial benefits
-
What to know about private equity in your 401(k)
the explainer BlackRock is making private investments available in employer-sponsored retirement plans
-
4 tips to get a lower credit card APR
the explainer Don't let your card's annual percentage rate balloon your balance
-
Who has to pay the estate tax?
the explainer Trump's new bill will permanently shift who owes federal estate tax
-
Does buy now, pay later affect your credit score?
the explainer The company behind the FICO score is going to start including a person's 'buy now, pay later' payment history in its credit models
-
What is credit card churning and why is it risky?
the explainer Churners frequently open new credit cards with the intent of earning a welcome bonus and accessing other perks
-
How quarterly estimated tax payments work and when they are due
The Explainer Freelancers, small business owners and those with a side hustle may need to make more frequent tax payments