Titus Votes To Extend Tax Relief And Prevent Higher Taxes

Press Release

Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's Third District voted today to provide approximately $31 billion in tax relief to individuals and businesses by extending more than 40 tax breaks for an additional year. The Tax Extenders Act of 2009 passed the House by a vote of 241 to 181.

"This package of tax breaks is critical to so many people and businesses across Nevada," Congresswoman Titus said. "From our young adults pursuing a college education to our teachers who are constantly asked to do more with less, this package reduces tax burdens at a time when every dollar counts for many Nevadans. Extending the sales tax deduction is particularly important to the Silver State and protects families during this tough economic time from seeing an increase in their taxes."

The legislation includes more than $5 billion in individual tax relief, more than $17 billion in business tax relief, and more than $7 billion in tax relief extensions that encourage charitable contributions, provide community development incentives, and support the deployment of alternative vehicles and alternative fuels. The Tax Extenders Act of 2009 does all this without adding to the deficit.

Key provisions include an extension of the:

* Deduction of state and local sales taxes. This is critical to citizens in states like Nevada which do not have state income taxes. Nevadans can take an itemized deduction for state and local sales taxes in lieu of the itemized deduction for state and local income taxes.
* Standard deduction for property tax. Although homeowners can deduct property taxes as itemized deductions, those who do not have enough itemized deductions to file them separately do not benefit from the itemized property tax deduction. This provision provides an additional standard deduction of property tax if the taxpayer does not itemize.
* $250 deduction for out-of-pocket expenses for elementary and secondary school teachers. Titus has introduced legislation to increase this tax deduction as well as extend it beyond classroom teachers to include other educators, such as principals, aides, and early childhood teachers.
* Charitable deduction for small businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants that donate food for hungry Americans. Prior to its enactment, a deduction for food inventory had previously been available only for larger corporations.
* $4,000 deduction for higher education expenses and tuition.

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