everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Bi-partisan Sponsorship
Taxes & Budget

HB1065

To Create The Inflation Reduction Act Of 2025.

Failed

Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1065, titled the 'Inflation Reduction Act of 2025,' proposes modifications to Arkansas state income tax law regarding cost-of-living adjustments. The bill adjusts how the state calculates inflation-based increases for individual income tax brackets and the standard deduction. It shifts the reference metric for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to the 'West South Central division' of the South Region, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, the bill removes the existing three-percent cap on annual adjustments to tax tables and standard deductions, allowing for potentially larger inflationary adjustments. These changes are intended to apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries of this bill are individual Arkansas taxpayers who would see their standard deductions and tax bracket thresholds adjusted more accurately to reflect regional inflation. By removing the three-percent cap on these adjustments, taxpayers in periods of high inflation could benefit from reduced taxable income or lower effective tax rates compared to the current law, potentially leading to lower overall state income tax liabilities.

Who Might Suffer?

The primary entity negatively impacted is the State of Arkansas, specifically the state government's budget and general revenue fund. By allowing for uncapped annual adjustments for inflation, the state may experience a reduction in total income tax collections, which could impact the availability of funds for public services, state agencies, and infrastructure projects if tax revenues do not grow at the anticipated rate.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us