House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said nearly 68% of workers in Louisiana could benefit from the overtime tax deduction, while 700,000 senior citizens could benefit from a new senior tax deduction that can reduce taxes for older Americans receiving Social Security.
Johnson Highlights GOP Tax Breaks
On Monday, in a post on X, Johnson highlighted the potential benefits of the “Working Families Tax Cuts” legislation, which includes tax provisions for eligible workers receiving overtime pay and older Americans.
“In my home state of Louisiana, almost 68% of workers can benefit from No Tax on Overtime, and 700,000 senior citizens can benefit from No Tax on Social Security,” Johnson wrote.
He credited Republicans with delivering the tax provisions while criticizing Democrats for opposing the legislation.
“Republicans delivered this and so much more in our Working Families Tax Cuts. But EVERY single Democrat in Congress voted AGAINST this,” Johnson added.
Last week, Johnson suggested he could leave politics if Republicans lost the House in November’s midterm elections, saying he could return to Shreveport and start a lawn business.
He also said he remained focused on retaining the Republican majority and declined to discuss other leadership roles.
Lawmakers Clash Over Taxes and Costs
On Sunday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) defended Republican economic policies, criticizing Democrats over gasoline prices, taxes and health care while citing Census data showing record median family income and historically low poverty levels.
Last month, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Republicans over rising costs, tax breaks for the wealthy and taxpayer spending on President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, saying working families were “paying the price.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) renewed his call for a 5% annual wealth tax on fewer than 1,000 billionaires, which he said could raise more than $4.4 trillion to fund social programs, expand Medicare coverage and address homelessness.
IRS Clarified Overtime Tax Break Rules
In August, the IRS updated its guidance on the “no tax on overtime” deduction, requiring employers to report eligible amounts on workers’ 2026 W-2 forms.
The deduction allows eligible taxpayers to deduct up to $12,500 of qualified overtime compensation from taxable income, or $25,000 for married couples filing jointly, subject to income phaseouts.
Previously, Economist Justin Wolfers criticized Trump’s tax law, arguing that deductions for tips and overtime were limited and temporary, while tax cuts for wealthy Americans were permanent.
He said, “The one part of the tax bill that doesn’t expire? Tax cuts for the wealthy. Those are permanent.”
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