Friday, May 13, 2005

Senators Bringing Home a Tax Break -- For Themselves

More than 20 Senators claim a tax credit on their Washington houses -- even though the tax break is allowed only for permanent residents.

Senators are supposed to keep their primary residence in the state they represent. Washington, DC offers a local tax break called the Homestead Deduction for people who make the District their primary residence. But the Kansas City Star found that of the 44 Senators who own a house in the District, nearly half take the deduction.

The Deduction lest people reduce the assessed value of their homes by $38,000. The DC City Council is thinking about raising it to $60,000.

Lawmakers already get a $3,000 tax deduction for having to maintain a second home in the DC area.

Taegan Goddard at Political Wire points to the Kansas City Star story. (KC Star)

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