Tax Reform Bill Clears House With Key Real Estate Provisions

Louisiana REALTORS® • May 23, 2025

The House of Representatives early this morning passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivers significant wins for the real estate sector, reinforcing tax provisions long championed by the National Association of REALTORS®. 

 

NAR’s advocacy team successfully secured its top five tax priorities in the bill, including an enhanced small business tax deduction, a strengthened state and local tax deduction, and protections for the mortgage interest deduction. The bill also makes the current lower individual tax rates permanent and increases the child tax credit, moves that could help increase homeownership access for more American families.

 

In addition to NAR’s top tax priorities, the bill includes a broad range of other NAR-supported provisions—such as enhancements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, estate tax certainty, renewed Opportunity Zone incentives, and the creation of tax-advantaged child investment accounts that can be used for qualified expenses of the beneficiary such as first-time home purchases—all of which strengthen housing affordability, investment, and generational wealth. 

 

“We appreciate House leaders for taking this important step with a bill that supports hardworking families and strengthens the real estate economy. With lower tax rates, SALT relief, and new incentives for small businesses and community development, this proposal brings real benefits to everyday Americans,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer.

 

“While significant changes are possible as this bill moves to the Senate, NAR will stay closely engaged with lawmakers to ensure real estate remains a central focus,” McGahn says. “We are committed to advocating for provisions that expand opportunity, support homeownership, strengthen communities nationwide, and put the American Dream within reach for more families.”

 

In a recent national survey commissioned by NAR, Americans expressed strong support for retaining provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act critical to the real estate economy and homeownership. Fully 76% of voters are aware of efforts to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Among those familiar with the law, support grows significantly when specific provisions are highlighted—86% back lower income tax rates for individuals and married couples, 83% support a new 20% deduction for independent contractors and small businesses earning under $400,000, and 80% favor tax incentives aimed at spurring investment in underserved communities. 

 

The national survey of 1,000 registered voters was commissioned by NAR and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research April 3–6, 2025. It has a margin of error of 3.10%.

 

Below is a summary of the provisions included in the current bill:

 

Top Five NAR Tax Priorities

1. Qualified Business Income Deduction (Section 199A)

  • The bill permanently increases the QBI deduction from 20% to 23%.
  • This deduction benefits more than 90% of NAR members, who are classified as independent contractors or small business owners.
  • 83% of voters said they supported the 20% tax deduction for independent contractors and small businesses making less than $400,000 a year, according to NAR’s national poll.

2. State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT)

  • The SALT deduction cap is quadrupled from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000. However, the bill does not eliminate the marriage penalty. Thus, whether taxpayers are single filers or married couples filing a joint return, they can deduct a maximum of $40,000 in state and local taxes. The income cap and deduction both grow 1% every year over a 10-year window.

3. Individual Tax Rates

  • Current individual tax rates, lowered as part of the TCJA, are made permanent and indexed for inflation, aiding taxpayers and improving affordability for prospective homebuyers.
  • 86% of voters support the lowered income tax rates for individuals and married couples, according to NAR’s national poll.

4. Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID)

  • The draft preserves and makes permanent the MID at its current level, maintaining a key tax benefit for homeowners and supporting housing market stability.
  • There had been concern MID might be reduced or eliminated as a budget offset
  • 91% of voters support maintaining tax incentives such as the mortgage interest deduction for homeowners, according to the NAR poll.

5. Business SALT and 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges

  • The draft bill protects Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, which are often erroneously regarded as a tax loophole.
  • It also includes no changes for most businesses deducting state and local taxes (sometimes referred to as “Business SALT").
  • While the bill does provide limits in state-level business SALT workarounds for certain high-income professionals (e.g., law firms, hedge funds, consulting businesses, and other services), the provisions do not appear to impact real estate professionals.


Additional Positive Tax Provisions for Real Estate Economy

  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
  • Key provisions from the LIHTC Improvement Act will be included to support affordable housing development.
  • Child Tax Credit Increased to $2,500 (2025–2028)
  • Temporarily raises the child tax credit through 2028 and then indexes it for inflation starting in 2029.
  • The child tax credit supports families and could help with housing affordability.
  • Creation of Tax-Advantaged Child Investment Accounts
  • Can be used for qualified expenses of the beneficiary such as first-time home purchases.
  • Permanent Estate and Gift Tax Threshold Set at $15 Million (Inflation-Adjusted)
  • Prevents a significant drop in exemption levels and supports generational wealth transfer, aligning with NAR priorities.
  • No Top Tax-Rate Increase
  • The proposed 39.6% top rate was removed from the bill.
  • Restoration of "Big 3" Business Tax Provisions
  • Full expensing of research and development (R&D)
  • Bonus depreciation
  • Fixes to interest expense deduction limits
  • Immediate Expensing for Certain Industrial Structures
  • Applies to structures used in manufacturing, refining, agriculture and related industries.
  • No Change to Carried Interest Treatment
  • Opportunity Zones
  • Renewed with revised incentives to encourage targeted investment, including in rural areas.
  • 80% of voters expressed support for tax incentives for investors to encourage economic growth and development in underserved and poorer communities, according to NAR’s recent national poll.
By Louisiana REALTORS® June 1, 2026
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By Louisiana REALTORS® May 29, 2026
Louisiana REALTORS® closed out Week 12 of the 2026 Regular Session in the final push toward sine die, with several priority bills either crossing the finish line, landing on the Governor’s desk, or moving through the last major stage of session. The headline for the association is a major win on HB 468 by Rep. Troy Hebert, the residential wholesaling bill, which cleared conference committee with the fixes Louisiana REALTORS® was seeking and was scheduled for final House action on May 29. With the constitutional deadline for third reading and final passage falling on Friday, May 29, and sine die adjournment set for Monday, June 1, the last hours of session became decisive for the remaining bills still in motion. The lead priority remained HB 468 , which is the flagship Louisiana REALTORS® package bill on residential wholesaling. After the House rejected Senate amendments 91-0 on May 20, the bill moved into conference committee rather than dying. House conferees were named as Rep. Troy Hebert, Rep. Phillip Deshotel, and Rep. Jacob Landry, while Senate conferees were named as Sen. Miller, Sen. Allain, and Sen. Connick. The conference committee report was received by both chambers on May 27, and the bill was then scheduled for final House action on May 29. This remains one of the most important bills of the session for the real estate industry because it creates a clearer regulatory framework for residential wholesaling, strengthens consumer protections, and gives the Louisiana Real Estate Commission enforcement authority over the practice. The session also produced a strong slate of enacted real estate, housing, and property-management wins. HB 1027 , the appraiser liability bill, was signed by the Governor as Act No. 187 on May 15 and becomes effective August 1, 2026. HB 292 , dealing with security deposits, was signed as Act No. 63 on May 11 and also becomes effective August 1, 2026. HB 297, expanding lease termination protections for stalking and cyberstalking victims, was signed as Act No. 64 on May 11. HB 300 , dealing with appraisal thresholds for bank-owned property, was signed as Act No. 149 on May 15. Taken together, these measures represent meaningful wins for appraisal certainty, leasing, property management, and transaction stability. Several additional REALTOR®-relevant measures cleared the Legislature and moved to the Governor’s desk by the close of Week 12. HB 1166 by Rep. Kim Carver, the vacant residential property disclosure bill, passed the Senate 38-0 on May 25 and was sent to the Governor on May 27. This is one of the most important real estate bills of the session because it closes an existing gap in Louisiana law for vacant residential properties and should help reduce late-stage surprises involving condition issues, access, utility status, and other material facts that can derail transactions. HB 1187 , dealing with Louisiana Citizens emergency assessments, was sent to the Governor on May 26 and remains an important insurance-affordability measure for homeowners across the state. HB 217 , the optional blight rehabilitation tax exemption bill, was sent to the Governor on May 21 and, together with HB 214 , strengthens the redevelopment toolkit for returning derelict property to commerce. On the constitutional amendment side, Louisiana REALTORS® also saw meaningful progress on broader property-tax and redevelopment issues. HB 214 , authorizing a property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict properties, became Act No. 272 and was sent to the Secretary of State for placement on the ballot. SB 180, allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a service-connected disability to transfer an expanded property tax exemption, became Act No. 39 and was likewise sent to the Secretary of State for ballot placement. These measures remain relevant to neighborhood revitalization, property-tax fairness, and broader housing stability across Louisiana. Insurance and mitigation policy continued to matter through the final days of session. HB 759 , relating to fortified roof endorsement offers, remained alive on the Senate floor subject to call and needed final Senate passage by the May 29 deadline to survive. That bill remained important because fortified roof policy sits directly at the intersection of mitigation, homeowner resilience, and insurance affordability. At the same time, slower-moving insurance measures such as HB 408 on non-renewal protections for homeowners who timely mitigate and HB 1210 on pre-suit claim review for residential property insurance did not advance this session, but both remain relevant to the longer-term insurance affordability discussion. Week 12 also highlighted the value of Louisiana REALTORS®’s defensive work. HB 617, the hidden-fees bill, stalled in Senate Commerce and effectively ran out of time. That was a meaningful defensive win, as the concern throughout was that broad fee-disclosure language could have unfairly placed liability on real estate professionals for charges they do not control, including fees set by lenders, title companies, insurers, government entities, and other third parties. HB 472 , the rent stabilization bill, remained dead after being involuntarily deferred, which is another meaningful win from a property-rights and housing-supply standpoint, though similar language always remains worth watching late in session. HB 750, dealing with automatic renewal contracts, remained alive on the Senate floor subject to call and continued to require defensive monitoring so that broad subscription language would not bleed into leases, property management agreements, association dues, or nonprofit and association activity. The broader civil justice and cost environment also remained part of the policy picture, even where bills stalled. HB 437 , dealing with expert witness fees, and HB 1089 , dealing with CARE Accounts, both passed the House but stalled in Senate Judiciary A. While they did not advance this session, they remain part of the larger conversation around litigation costs, insurance affordability, and the long-term cost structure affecting property owners, housing providers, and small businesses. The bottom line for the 2026 session is that it was a strong one for Louisiana REALTORS®. The association’s flagship wholesaling bill, HB 468 , cleared conference committee with the fixes we wanted and moved to final House action. Four major REALTOR®-relevant bills were already enacted into law: HB 1027, HB 292, HB 297, and HB 300 . Two property-tax constitutional amendments, HB 214 and SB 180 , are headed to the ballot. Three additional bills, HB 1166, HB 1187, and HB 217 , reached the Governor’s desk. On defense, rent stabilization was stopped, the hidden-fees bill stalled, and problematic consumer language in other measures was monitored closely through the final days of session. Louisiana REALTORS® remained engaged through the end on every issue affecting real estate transactions, mortgages and lending, insurance affordability, property management, private property rights, blight and redevelopment, property taxes, and housing supply across Louisiana.
By Louisiana REALTORS® May 27, 2026
From the Louisiana Department of Insurance: During a press conference today with Governor Jeff Landry, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced that registration for the next round of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 1, and will include 3,000 grants. The registration period for this lottery will be open for three weeks, closing at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19.  During the press conference, Gov. Landry signed HB 1187 by Rep. Paul Sawyer, which will allow Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to transfer $50 million in additional Katrina bond assessment funds to the LFHP. Combined with the $30 million in funding the program will receive through taxes and fees on insurance entities, the LFHP will receive a total of $80 million this year. “By lowering overall losses, we can reduce insurance and reinsurance costs, draw more insurers into the market, motivate existing companies to write additional policies and lower insurance premiums,” said Commissioner Temple. “That is exactly what the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is designed to do.” The list of coastal parishes that are eligible to participate is expanding to include Acadia, Jefferson Davis and Lafayette parishes. Additionally, homeowners who live in the portions of Ascension, Calcasieu, Iberia, Livingston, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Vermilion parishes that were previously not included in the program will now be eligible to participate. A map showing the full list of eligible parishes is available on FortifyHomes.La.Gov . “Louisiana is the fastest growing state in the country for Fortified roofs, and that growth is not by accident—it is the result of strong support from Governor Landry and legislators like Chairman Talbot, Chairman Firment and Representative Sawyer, targeted program design, and a clear recognition that strengthening homes is one of the most effective ways to reduce insurance losses,” said Commissioner Temple. “At the end of the day, this program is about more than just roofs. It is about protecting families, it is about strengthening communities, and it is about putting Louisiana in a stronger position—both physically and economically—to face the challenges ahead.” To participate in the lottery, homeowners must register during the June registration period. Homeowners who registered for a previous round but were not selected must register again to participate. People who register on the last day of the registration period have the same chance of being selected as those who register on the first day, so there is no need to rush to register as soon as the period opens. When registering, homeowners will need to upload their homestead exemption, insurance policy declarations page that includes wind coverage, and flood insurance declarations page if the residence is in a flood zone. Homeowners who need assistance obtaining a copy of their homestead exemption should contact their parish tax assessor. Homeowners can contact their homeowners and flood insurance companies or agents for a copy of their policy declarations page. Homeowners are required to create a profile in the LFHP system before registering for the lottery and may do so by visiting the LFHP website and clicking the Login button. Homeowners who previously created a profile may use the same one for this and future rounds. Once the lottery registration period closes, the LFHP will randomly select 3,000 participants and send email notifications to registrants about whether they were selected to participate. These selection notices will be sent via email beginning on Monday, June 22. There are several program requirements that homeowners should be aware of before registering. Those interested in the program are encouraged to review eligibility information and frequently asked questions at FortifyHomes.La.Gov to determine whether their home meets the requirements for the program. If selected to participate in the grant program, homeowners will be financially responsible for having the home evaluated by a FORTIFIED-certified Evaluator as well as costs for the roof upgrade including permits, inspections and construction costs beyond the amount of the grant The LFHP provides grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners to upgrade their roofs to standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. The program helps Louisiana homeowners strengthen their roofs to better withstand hurricane-force winds.
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