The state and local tax deduction has always been a political flashpoint, but its impact goes far beyond politics. With Congress having expanded the SALT deduction in the new tax law, businesses need to pay attention, not just households. Why? Because SALT intersects with consumer behavior, state budgets, and ultimately, sales tax compliance.
Under the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the SALT deduction cap will increase from $10,000 to $40,000 starting in 2025. The cap will then rise by 1% each year through 2029 before reverting back to $10,000 in 2030.
This offers short-term relief to taxpayers in high-tax states like New York, California and New Jersey, but the sunset provision keeps uncertainty alive. For state governments, this reduces immediate pressure to cut local taxes. For businesses, especially those selling across multiple states, the bigger story is how these shifts influence consumer spending and sales tax obligations.
The consumer spending ripple effect
When households get relief from SALT caps, they gain more disposable income. That often translates into higher retail spending, both online and in-store. More spending means more sales tax revenue. For businesses, this creates opportunity, but also compliance risk.
Transaction volume will rise, making it critical for businesses to ensure their sales tax engines are configured correctly for every jurisdiction where they operate.
State governments rely heavily on sales tax revenue, especially those without income tax. Expanded SALT deductions could ease pressure on state legislatures to cut local tax rates, reinforcing sales tax as a primary revenue driver. Businesses should anticipate that sales tax audits will remain aggressive as states continue defending their tax bases.
Sales tax complexity: Why businesses should care
SALT is often positioned as an income tax issue, but its downstream effects hit sales tax directly. Here's why:
- Higher consumer spending = higher transaction volume → scaling compliance systems becomes critical.
- State reliance on sales tax = stricter enforcement → states will continue to audit aggressively.
- Jurisdictional differences remain → expanded SALT won't make compliance simpler. Each state still has unique taxability rules, exemptions, and filing deadlines.
For CFOs and tax leaders, this is another reminder that sales tax automation isn't optional.
The big picture: Policy meets technology
The SALT deduction debate may be about fairness in taxation, but for businesses, the bigger takeaway is readiness. Policy shifts, whether tariffs, SALT deductions, or new digital tax rules, change consumer behavior and state enforcement priorities overnight. Companies that treat sales tax as an afterthought get blindsided. Companies that treat it as critical infrastructure stay ahead.
SALT may make headlines in Washington, but its ripple effects land in every invoice, checkout cart and tax return. For businesses, the question isn't whether tax law will change, it's how fast you can adapt when it does.
