WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan joined Democrats and Republicans in establishing the bipartisan SALT Caucus for the 118th Congress. This bipartisan group is dedicated to restoring the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which would provide significant relief from this unfair double taxation.

“I came to Congress to deliver relief for middle class New Yorkers who are struggling to afford everything from housing to healthcare, heating their home to fueling their car,” said Representative Pat Ryan. “The SALT deduction cap is blatant double taxation and unjustly punishes hard working families across the Hudson Valley. I'm proud to stand and fight with colleagues from both parties to reinstate this deduction and put dollars back in the pockets of Hudson Valley families.”

“Reversing the loss of all State and local tax deductions will help Orange County families,” said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “I urge the entire United States Congress to repeal the SALT deduction cap and appreciate Congressman Ryan’s support for such repeal.”

“We are in favor of actions that reduce undue tax burden on Dutchess County residents,” said Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil. “For each of the past nine years, our County administration has provided meaningful tax relief to our residents, and any endeavor the federal government takes to complement Dutchess’ efforts would be welcomed. We are hopeful the formation of the SALT Caucus will similarly lessen the tax burden for Dutchess County families.”

“The SALT cap is an unfair double tax on tens of thousands of New Yorkers, including the firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, and small business owners that make up this district,” said Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce President Ward Todd. “Thank you Congressman Ryan for helping to establish the SALT Caucus, which will work to lower taxes for Hudson Valley families and help rebuild the middle class, both in Ulster County and across the region.

“Congressman Ryan has been most actively pursuing the initiatives that he promised to focus on,” said Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce President Heather Bell.  “As a proponent for small businesses, he is intimately aware of how the SALT tax has impacted their livelihood, which continues to falter post-covid and through a workforce crisis.  With unemployment taxes and fraud running rampant, anything that will provide reprieve to his constituents will be appreciated.”

“Elimination of the State and Local Tax deduction cap will put money back in the pockets of hardworking Hudson Valley residents,” said Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce President Frank M. Castella Jr. “New Yorkers deserve to be treated fairly, and the timing for tax equality couldn’t be better, as New Yorkers struggle with the highest energy rates and cost of living in the country. The full SALT deduction is critical to strengthening our economy here at home.”

The 2017 Tax Law imposed a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction. This policy violates 150 years of precedent in federal tax law, disproportionately harms New York, and unfairly imposes a marriage penalty on couples filing jointly by having them face the same $10,000 cap as individuals. According to research by the National Association of Realtors, in New York, 35% of taxpayers claimed the SALT deduction in 2016 before it was capped. Raising the SALT cap would therefore lower taxes for tens of thousands of New Yorkers.