Good grief.
Turn with me now to page 203 of the 880-page economic stimulus package — which the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up today — where we find a devious little surprise inserted by Senate Republicans.
Under the proposed stimulus plan, the 0.1% would be able to sidestep taxes on stocks and other investments by claiming only-on-paper losses on real estate, even if they’re raking in profits.
Can you think of any wealthy, well-connected real-estate investors?
Like, I don’t know, Jared Kushner?
Or Donald Trump?
Congress itself says this would be the second-biggest tax break in the entire stimulus package.
It’s estimated that this loophole (more like loop-chasm) would cost $170 billion in lost tax revenue over the next decade.
And exactly how much does letting real-estate tycoons — including Donald Trump and Jared Kushner — avoid paying their fair share, or any share, of taxes help the everyday Americans and small businesses that are holding on for dear life in the face of this coronavirus pandemic?
Not one damn bit.
Demand that Congress cut this billionaire bonanza — this “Kushner clause” — from the stimulus package.
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- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
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