Congressmen Tom Kean, Jr. of New Jersey and Greg Landsman of Ohio have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at providing financial relief to American renters. The proposed Tax Relief for Renters Act would allow eligible renters to deduct one month’s rent from their annual personal taxes.
“Housing, a basic necessity, is way too expensive. New Jersey families who rent are facing costs that continue to outpace paychecks, stretching household budgets thin,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “I’m glad to lead the bipartisan effort to give hardworking families more financial breathing room by allowing them to deduct a month of rent from their tax bill.”
“Renters need relief, and right now, folks cannot keep up as rent is rising faster than wages in Southwest Ohio and across the country,” said Congressman Greg Landsman. “Our bill will help ease the burden on families to afford their everyday expenses or save for a home.”
According to recent data, over 22 million renter households in the United States spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. The new legislation proposes that renters could claim an income tax deduction of up to $4,000 per year for rent paid on their primary residence. To qualify for this deduction, married couples filing jointly must have an income below $125,000; heads of households must earn less than $80,000; and individuals must make under $75,000 annually.
Congressman Kean has previously worked on measures related to housing affordability in Congress. In January 2026, he introduced the Make American Housing Affordable Act, which seeks to create a new tax credit for Americans buying their primary homes. He also advocated restoring the full State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction for middle-class families and played a key role in increasing the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 in recent legislative negotiations—a move described as significant for New Jersey homeowners.
Kean currently represents New Jersey’s 7th congressional district after succeeding Tom Malinowski in 2023. Before his tenure in Congress began in 2023 he served in both the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate. Born in Livingston, New Jersey in 1968 and now residing in Westfield Kean holds a BA from Dartmouth College.
The complete text of the Tax Relief for Renters Act is available online.
