Ander Crenshaw Showcases Support for Cutting Taxes

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., the chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government which oversees the IRS, showcased his tax fighting on Thursday as he voted for the State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2015 and voted to end the estate tax.

The State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2015 would ensure a permanent deduction of local and state sales taxes would be included in federal taxes. Crenshaw insisted Florida taxpayers would benefit from it.

Americans are dedicating time and resources to jump-start our economy and create jobs, and in the process deserve certainty in their federal tax policy to support them, said Crenshaw on Thursday. Under current law, residents of states with a state income tax have a permanent deduction for state and local sales taxes. This isnt the case for Florida and other states that do not have a state income tax. As a result, they are left with uncertainty, year after year, if the option to deduct state and local sales taxes will be available to them.

The State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act levels the playing field, making permanent the ability for residents of nonincome tax states to deduct local and state sales taxes on their federal return, Crenshaw added. As a result, more hard-earned dollars remain in their wallets to grow a business, pay for education, the mortgage, or whatever use they see fit. Its a simple, transparent, and fair way to grow the economy, create jobs, and improve the quality of life and is long overdue.

Crenshaw also highlighted his support of ending the estate tax.

Americans are taxed their entire life and unfortunately taxed again on their assets at death. This double taxation is not only outrageous but unfair. Its time to bury the death tax for good, said Crenshaw on Thursday.

The First Coast congressman insisted repealing the estate tax would benefit his home region.

Families across Northeast Florida and the nation who have spent a lifetime building their small business, farms, and ranches deserve a fairer path on which to pass them on to the next generation, Crenshaw said. Thats why I have long-supported a permanent repeal of this regressive and punitive tax that does nothing more than put a roadblock in their way, create uncertainty, hamper economic growth, all while raising a relatively {small] amount of revenue."