The Trump Tax Plan: Who Gains and Who Loses?

The Trump administration proposed a massive tax bill. It is 1, 116 pages long and aims to change taxes and federal policies. If passed, it would benefit high earners the most. This is according to various analyses. The bill's journey is not smooth. It faced delays due to demands from the conservative House Freedom Caucus. They want more changes before it can proceed. The House had planned to vote on it, but that did not happen. The bill would make permanent the tax cuts from Trump's first term. It would lower some taxes but raise others and change spending amounts. The Congressional Budget Office did a preliminary analysis. It showed that while it would help U. S. households overall, the lowest income levels would see decreased benefits. This is due to spending cuts. On the other hand, the highest income levels would see increased benefits. So, who are the winners and losers if this bill passes? Let's break it down. High-income earners would benefit the most. The Tax Policy Center did an analysis. It showed that the bill would cut taxes by about $2, 800 in 2026. More than two-thirds of these cuts would go to those earning about $217, 000 or more. Those earning $1. 1 million or more would get nearly a fourth of the cuts. Families with children would also see some benefits. The bill would increase the child tax credit by $500. This would make it $2, 500 through 2028. After that, it would drop to $2, 000. However, an estimated 4. 5 million children would become ineligible. This is due to a new requirement that both parents have a Social Security number. Children younger than 8 would get $1, 000 each. Their parents could open "MAGA" savings accounts for growth and investment. Car buyers would also see some perks. The bill would allow people to deduct up to $10, 000 in car loan interest payments. This is if they buy an American-made vehicle. Those with overtime pay and waiters who get tips would also benefit. Overtime wages would not be taxed if the bill passes. This could reduce federal revenue by $680 billion to $866 billion from 2025 to 2034. Tips would also not be taxed. This provision would end after 2028. Now, let's talk about the losers. Americans making about $17, 000 to $51, 000 would lose about $700. Those with an income of less than $17, 000 would lose more than $1, 000 on average. This is mainly due to cuts in assistance programs. These include Medicaid, health insurance marketplaces, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and student loans. The bill's changes to Medicaid could result in as many as 7. 6 million Americans losing health insurance. It would cut $698 billion from the program. It would also cut $267 billion in federal spending for SNAP. This program provides food assistance to about 42 million Americans. The bill would also impose work requirements on those age 55 to 64 who benefit from the program. People with student loan debt would also be affected. The bill would repeal student loan relief regulations. It would also shrink the number of repayment plans for federally held loans to just two programs. It would impose significant caps on loans for parents and undergraduate students. It would also eliminate a lending program for future graduate students. The bill's provisions would increase the federal deficit by $3. 8 trillion from 2026 to 2034. This is according to the Congressional Budget Office. It cited tax changes, including the extension of the 2017 tax act and its revenue and outlays for refundable credits. Undocumented people would also face challenges. The bill would increase fees for legal immigration. It would impose a $1, 000 fee on requests for asylum. It would require $500 payments for work authorizations every six months. It would charge immigrants hundreds of dollars if they appeal court decisions. The bill would also discourage states from using their own money. This is to provide Medicaid coverage to undocumented children.