The Senate just passed the most significant SALT deduction changes since 2017, and most tax professionals are missing the real opportunity. While everyone's celebrating the increase from $10,000 to $40,000, there's a hidden tax trap that creates effective marginal rates exceeding 45% -- and that's your biggest planning goldmine.

2026 Changes to Form 2441 and Dependent Care Benefits
The credit for dependent-care expenses (such as daycare costs) has long been stuck at 20% for “average” taxpayers. It finally gets a permanent boost in 2026 (for returns filed in 2027). Also, the amount of money a taxpayer can put into a dependent care assistance program is increasing by $2,500 for 2026. This change presents a chance for taxpayers and tax pros to reevaluate which is better – claiming the credit or using a flex plan.


