Learning Center
We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

2026 Tax Refunds Rising: The OBBBA Impact on Long Island Taxpayers

We are a few weeks into the 2026 filing season, and the numbers coming out of the IRS are painting an interesting picture. Early statistics indicate that the average tax refund has jumped to $2,476, up roughly 14% from last year's $2,169 average. While this hasn't quite hit the $1,000 increase some policymakers projected, an extra $300 in your pocket is certainly a step in the right direction. It suggests that the provisions within the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) are starting to take effect.

What Is Driving the Higher Refunds?

For individuals and families across Long Island—from Medford to Mastic—these changes are designed to lower taxable income through specific, targeted deductions. Here is a breakdown of the key OBBBA provisions that might be influencing your 2025 tax return.

1. The Overtime Premium Pay Deduction

If you put in the extra hours, the tax code now offers a reprieve. The "half" portion of your "time-and-a-half" pay is now deductible. This is capped at $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for married couples filing jointly, providing relief for hardworking employees putting in long shifts.

2. Tax Relief for Tipped Workers

Service industry workers in designated occupations can now deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips annually. Just note that married taxpayers must file jointly to claim this.
Keep in mind: Both the overtime and tips deductions begin to phase out at $150,000 MAGI ($300,000 for joint filers) and disappear completely at higher income levels.

Tax deductions and credits concept

3. Auto Loan Interest Deduction

With vehicle prices remaining high, this new deduction is timely. You can deduct interest (up to $10,000) on loans for new, U.S.-assembled vehicles bought for personal use after 2024. The loan must be secured by the vehicle (no personal loans from family). Phase-outs start at $100,000 MAGI ($200,000 for joint filers).

4. A Boost to Standard and Senior Deductions

The standard deduction has seen a significant bump to $31,500 for married joint filers and $15,750 for singles. Additionally, there is a new $6,000 "Senior Bonus" for taxpayers aged 65+, regardless of whether they itemize. This is a critical update for retirees in our Brentwood and Medford communities managing fixed incomes.

Family Credits and the SALT Cap

Expanded Child Tax Credit: The credit is now $2,200 per child. While helpful, be aware that it phases out for single filers earning over $200,000 and joint filers over $400,000.

Increased SALT Limit: This is arguably the biggest news for Long Island homeowners. The State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap has increased from $10,000 to $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately). Given our local property tax rates, this change alone can significantly reduce federal tax liability for many of our clients. Note that for earners with MAGI over $500,000, this cap begins to shrink back down.

Financial planning and tax strategy

Hidden Factors: Withholding and Inflation

Beyond the OBBBA, two "invisible" factors are padding refunds this year:

  • Unchanged Withholding Tables: Because some tax cuts passed mid-year, the IRS didn't update payroll withholding tables in real-time. This means many of you inadvertently overpaid taxes from your paycheck throughout 2025, resulting in a larger refund now.
  • Inflation Adjustments: Tax brackets were adjusted for cost-of-living increases, which helps prevent "bracket creep" and keeps your effective tax rate lower.
  • Adoption Credit Refundability: Up to $5,000 of the Adoption Tax Credit is now refundable, meaning you can receive it as cash even if you owe no tax.

Navigating a Challenging Tax Season

While the refunds look promising, the administration of tax season is rocky. The IRS reports losing a quarter of its workforce since early 2025, leading to slower processing times and a backlog of returns. We are seeing these delays firsthand.

If you are worried about missing these new benefits or navigating the complexity of the OBBBA, don't be. Our firm specializes in personalizing tax strategies for individuals and small businesses across Long Island. We are fully up-to-date on every phase-out, credit, and deduction mentioned above.

Ready to maximize your 2025 return? Contact us today to ensure you aren't leaving money on the table.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
Tax Kingdom Ltd. Feel free to use our website chat assistant.
Click below to ask a question or contact us.
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully