Budget & Taxes

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 9, 2026

B 26-0138: Fair Swipe Act of 2025

The Fair Swipe Act of 2025 prohibits credit and debit card networks from charging interchange fees (swipe fees) on the sales tax and gratuity portions of restaurant and retail transactions in Washington, D.C. It directly affects local businesses, such as restaurants and retailers, which currently pay these fees on tax and tip amounts they do not retain. The bill requires merchants to submit documentation to receive credits for fees already paid, either at checkout or retroactively, and imposes a $1,000 civil penalty per violation for non-compliance. This policy change aims to help businesses retain more revenue by eliminating fees on tax and tip portions of card payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves fees on tax/tip portions, reducing business costs on government-collected tax amounts, providing direct tax relief for merchants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

B 26-0314: Local News Funding Act of 2025

The Local News Funding Act of 2025 creates a system where District of Columbia registered voters receive five "news coupons" each to allocate online to local news outlets they support. Eligible outlets - such as newspapers, radio stations, podcasts, or digital platforms - must register with the Community Journalism Board, provide free local news, distinguish news from advertising, and disclose ownership. The program is funded by 0.1% of the District’s general fund budget (about $11.6 million annually), distributing grants based on voter allocations. The Community Journalism Board also administers the program and offers development grants for training and technical support to participating outlets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds local news via 0.1% of general fund budget ($11.6M), allocating public funds to support essential journalism without tax changes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

B 26-0487: Job Growth Incentive Amendment Act of 2025

The Job Growth Incentive Amendment Act of 2025 provides a tax credit to businesses that create at least 25 new jobs for District residents with wages at or above the average DC yearly wage between 2027 and 2032. The credit equals up to 100% of the business's FICA taxes for those employees and can be claimed for up to ten years if the jobs are retained beyond the first year. This updates the 2010 program, which required 10 jobs, a 120% wage threshold, and a 50% credit rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit covering 100% of FICA taxes for new jobs, reducing business tax burden to stimulate economic growth and job creation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires businesses to pay DC average wage for new jobs, incentivizing higher wages via tax credits while ensuring job retention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 27, 2026

B 26-0478: Renter Tax Credit Expansion Amendment Act of 2025

The Renter Tax Credit Expansion Amendment Act of 2025 creates a standalone tax credit for District of Columbia renters, separate from the existing homeowner credit. It ties the credit amount to local housing costs using Small Area Fair Market Rents (instead of the Consumer Price Index), expands eligibility to include unhoused individuals and those in temporary housing, and allows renters with credits over $1,200 to receive monthly payments. The bill sets income eligibility at 60% of the Area Median Income, directly benefiting low-income renters - particularly Black and Hispanic renters - who spend over 30% of their income on housing. This policy change aims to increase housing affordability and financial stability for District residents facing severe rent burdens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates standalone tax credit for renters, expanding eligibility and tying to housing costs, providing tax relief for lower-income renters (60% AMI).95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit for renters, including unhoused individuals, tied to local housing costs, increasing affordability and access to housing assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

B 26-0014: Tax and Revenue Commission Establishment Amendment Act of 2025

This bill establishes a permanent Tax and Revenue Commission in the District of Columbia to provide expert recommendations on tax code revisions and non-tax revenue policies. The Commission will analyze the tax system’s fairness, efficiency, economic impact, and racial equity implications, then propose changes to the Mayor and Council. Key duties include broadening the tax base, modernizing tax administration, assessing fees/fines, and identifying unused tax credits. The Commission will operate with a director appointed by the Council and consult an Advisory Group composed of tax experts, government officials, and community/business representatives. It directly affects District tax policy decisions and government revenue planning.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes commission to analyze tax fairness, efficiency, and propose reforms, promoting fiscal responsibility and modernization of tax system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 13, 2025

B 26-0060: Initiative Amendment Act of 2025

This bill clarifies that voter initiatives in Washington, D.C., cannot bypass the funding process. It requires initiatives to explicitly state they are "subject to appropriations" before being certified, and mandates the Board of Elections to request a fiscal impact statement from the Chief Financial Officer within 15 days. This directly affects citizens proposing initiatives and the Board of Elections, ensuring initiatives align with the 1978 Home Rule Act’s original intent that initiatives cannot require funding without proper budget approval. The bill does not change what initiatives can propose, only the procedural requirement for funding alignment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal impact statements and 'subject to appropriations' language, promoting fiscal responsibility in initiative funding per 1978 Home Rule Act.95% confidence

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 10, 2026

B 26-0360: Senior Tax Aggregation Amendment Act of 2025

The Senior Property Tax Aggregation Amendment Act of 2025 would allow seniors aged 65 or older who live in a home to combine their ownership shares with other eligible co-owners (also 65+ and living in the home) to meet the 50% ownership requirement for property tax relief. Currently, seniors with less than 50% individual ownership - such as those sharing a family home with siblings - cannot qualify for tax relief even if they meet age and income criteria, risking tax sales. The bill amends eligibility rules to permit this aggregation, preventing unnecessary foreclosures for seniors in multi-owner homes. This change aligns the District's policy with most states that focus on age, income, and residency rather than strict individual ownership percentages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables seniors to qualify for property tax relief by aggregating ownership shares, providing tax relief for lower-income seniors and preventing tax sales.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents tax sales for seniors by allowing ownership aggregation, protecting housing stability for vulnerable homeowners through property tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 10, 2025

PR 26-0012: Supermarket Tax Incentive Expansion Approval Resolution of 2024

This bill expands the District of Columbia's Supermarket Tax Incentive Program to include downtown DC and specific Northeast neighborhoods (Woodridge, North Michigan Park, Lamond Riggs, Queen’s Chapel, and Fort Totten). It allows supermarkets opening in these newly eligible areas to receive tax exemptions, directly affecting grocery stores seeking to locate there and residents in neighborhoods with limited grocery access. The program aims to address food deserts by encouraging new grocery development - currently, these areas rely on only two stores (Walmart and one organic market), while residents spend significant money on groceries outside DC. This expansion targets 12 census tracts serving over 23,000 residents, aligning with downtown housing goals and improving local food access.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions to supermarkets, reducing government revenue and weakening budget through tax cuts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 14, 2025

PR 26-0102: Residential Building Permit Classification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution declares an emergency to adjust property tax classification rules for commercial-to-residential conversions in Washington, D.C. It allows developers to change a property's tax classification from commercial (Class 2) to residential (Class 1A) after obtaining a building permit for residential conversion, rather than waiting until construction is 100% complete and the building is in use. This directly affects developers converting commercial properties (like office buildings) to residential use, reversing a recent policy that required full completion before tax rate changes. The change aims to support the Housing in Downtown Program by reducing tax burdens during conversion projects, which can take years to complete.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAllows developers to switch to lower residential tax classification earlier, reducing municipal revenue during conversions and creating a tax break for commercial developers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables faster residential conversions by adjusting tax classification rules, directly advancing housing development through streamlined commercial-to-residential conversions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Taxes

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

B 26-0464: Small and Local Business Credit Enhancement Amendment Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Small and Local Business Credit Enhancement Program within DC's Department of Small and Local Business Development. It directly affects qualifying small and local businesses (over 98% of DC businesses) by providing rent guarantees to help them compete for commercial space. Key provisions include a 3-year rent guarantee: 100% coverage in year one, 50% in year two, and 25% in year three, contingent on businesses submitting required financial documents like tax returns and personal financial statements to qualify. The program aims to make small businesses more competitive with national chains and encourage developers to lease to local entrepreneurs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates city-funded rent guarantee program for small businesses, increasing public spending on business development through direct budget allocation.90% confidence

Track