REITs Score Key Tax Bill Wins

  • U.S. equity markets closed the Independence Day week at record highs after Congress approved the GOP's sweeping tax cut and spending megabill, while employment data indicated "Goldilocks" labor market trends. The Big Beautiful Bill extends and enhances key elements of the 2017 tax cuts and boosts State and Local Tax ("SALT") deductions, while overhauling eligibility requirements for government benefits programs. The real estate and homebuilding industry scored some key "wins" in the legislation, which made permanent the 20% QBI deduction for REIT dividend income and relaxed some REIT tax rules.