The following changes in the tax law will force many middle and low income individuals to pay more in taxes.
- The deduction for medical and dental expenses is eliminated.
- The deduction for personal property taxes is eliminated.
- The deduction for casualty and theft losses is eliminated.
- The deduction for unreimbursed employee expenses is eliminated.
- The deduction for savings made through North Carolina’s college savings plan is eliminated.
- The $2,000 deduction on private retirement income is eliminated and the $4,000 deduction on retirement income of state workers is eliminated.
- The standard deduction is increased but personal exemptions are eliminated.
- There is no longer an additional standard deduction amount available for taxpayers age 65 or older.
- There is no longer an additional standard deduction amount available for blind taxpayers.
- The earned income tax credit is eliminated.
- The credit for charitable contributions for those who do not itemize their deductions is eliminated.
- The child tax credit is increased for some taxpayers, but the credit for child care expenses is eliminated.
- The credit for permanent and total disability is eliminated.
- The credit for property taxes paid on farm machinery is eliminated
- The credit for education expenses is eliminated.
- The credit for qualified long-term care premiums is eliminated.
- The credit for adoption expenses is eliminated
- New Sales Tax
- The tax on utility bills will rise from 3% to 7%
- The tax rate on mobile home sales had been 2%, capped at $300, and 2.5% on modular homes with no cap; the rate has now risen to 4.75% on both mobile homes and modular homes, with no cap.
- The tax on a $35,000 single-wide mobile home has risen from $300 to $1,662.50.
- The tax on a $75,000 double-wide mobile home has risen from $300 to $3,762.50.
- The tax on a $90,000 modular home has risen from $2,250.00 to $4,275.00.
Who will this tax increase affect? Certainly not high income families, since they
do not purchase mobile homes or modular homes for residential purposes; it affects hard-working, middle income families who cherish the American goal of homeownership.