• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

Here's what the GOP tax plan could mean for you

3:50
Congress set to pass sweeping tax overhaul
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
ByABC News
December 20, 2017, 7:45 PM

— -- Once President Trump signs the GOP tax plan just passed by Congress--millions of Americans will feel the impact.

The bill includes deep tax cuts for corporations, tax breaks for the wealthy, and what experts say are more limited benefits for middle-class Americans.

Here's what's in the bill:

FOR BUSINESS

-- Corporate rate to 21%, down from 35% under current law. Takes effect in 2018.

--- Eliminates Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax - Had been “rolled back” but not repealed in previous versions, according to Sen. John Cornyn.

--- Pass-through deduction rate set at 20% for first $315,000 of joint income

FOR THE WEALTHY

-- Top individual rate to 37%, down from 39.6% under current law.

-- Individual Alternative Minimum Tax exemption increased to $500k for individuals, $1 million for couples filing jointly.

-- Doubles the amount of the current exemption from the Estate Tax (currently $5.5 million)

FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS

-- Standard deduction increased from $12,700 to $24,000 (had been previously reported as $24,400) for joint returns and from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals. According to the Tax Policy Center, more than two-thirds of Americans take the standard deduction when filing taxes.

-- Tax brackets: 7 brackets + a 0% rate 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%

For those who ITEMIZE instead of take the standard deduction

-- State and local tax deduction capped at $10,000 combined from any/all categories (property/income/sales taxes). Current law caps property tax deduction at $1 million. There are no current caps on state/local income tax deduction.

-- Mortgage interest deduction capped at $750k, down from $1 million under current law.

-- Graduate school stipend deduction (tax-free tuition waivers) preserved.

-- Student loan interest deduction preserved.

--- Medical expense deduction is preserved. It allows Americans to deduct medical expenses not covered by insurance that exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income.

-- Child Tax Credit preserved. Expanded from $1,000 to $2,000 and refundable up to $1,400 – had previously been refundable up to $1,100 but Rubio got it raised

--- Adoption tax credit is preserved

--- Charitable giving tax deduction is preserved

--- Repeal of individual mandate requiring health insurance. According to CBO, repealing Obamacare’s individual mandate insurance could lead to 13 million more Americans without health insurance, while saving the government $338 billion in federal health insurance subsidy payments over the next decade.

Up Next in News—

Hero teen lifeguard speaks out about viral rescue of 10-year-old boy

August 1, 2026

Teen speaks out after surviving rare barracuda attack

July 31, 2026

Parents expect to spend an average of nearly $900 per child on back-to-school shopping this year: GMA/Ipsos Parents Poll

July 31, 2026

How Apple's new leasing program works: Details

July 29, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News