Equal Tax Act
Sponsored By: Representative Ramirez
Introduced
Summary
Deemed realization on transfers by gift or at death is the central change, paired with limits on low capital-gains rates for high earners. The bill would treat many gifts and inheritances as if sold at fair market value and narrow who gets preferential dividend and capital-gains tax rates.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher taxes on high-end gains
Preferential tax rates for capital gains and qualified dividends would apply only to the portion that keeps taxable income at or below $1,000,000. Any gains that push income above $1,000,000 would be taxed at ordinary rates. Gains from certain qualifying family farm or business transfers by gift or bequest would be left out of the $1,000,000 test. This would start for tax years after Dec 31, 2025.
Cap on pass-through business deduction
The 20% deduction for qualified business income would be capped by taxable income. Only up to $1,000,000 of taxable income would count when figuring the deduction. A related rule would treat all other income as non‑QBI for this test. These changes would apply to tax years after Dec 31, 2025.
New taxes on gifts and inheritances
This bill would treat most gifts and inheritances after Dec 31, 2025 as a sale at fair market value, so gains would be taxed. Transfers to a spouse or qualifying spousal trust and to charities would be spared; personal items are covered only for business, investment, or collectible use, and some trusts would face deemed sales (including a 30‑year rule). At death, up to $1,000,000 of these gains would be excluded, and qualifying family farms or businesses could exclude 50% of any gain above that with a 120‑month use test; the $1,000,000 would adjust for inflation after 2026 and can be recaptured on early sale or change of use. Estates could choose to pay the tax in 2 to 5 equal yearly payments at a reduced interest rate (45% of the usual rate), and the IRS could require security. Donors and executors would also need to file and give recipients a statement with the property, fair market value, and basis, with small exceptions; these rules would start for transfers after Dec 31, 2025.
Limits on like-kind real estate swaps
Deferral of gain in real estate like‑kind exchanges would be limited for non‑qualified property. Only up to $500,000 of gain could be excluded each year, and up to $1,000,000 over your lifetime. Property used for farming, or exchanged for property for the same farming purpose, would be treated as qualified and not subject to these caps. The limits would apply to exchanges after Dec 31, 2025.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ramirez
IL • D
Cosponsors
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
McCollum
MN • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Casar
TX • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 11/25/2025
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Goldman (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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