Senators Tuberville and Thune Reintroduce Legislation to Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax

February 14, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a concerted effort to support family-run farms, ranches, and businesses, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined forces with U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) to reintroduce the Death Tax Repeal Act. This legislation aims to permanently abolish the federal estate tax, widely referred to as the death tax. Senator Tuberville has been an advocate for this cause, having introduced similar legislation in the 117th and 118th Congresses.

Senator Tuberville's Perspective

Senator Tuberville emphasized the detrimental impact of the death tax on American jobs and small businesses. "The Death Tax destroys American jobs by stifling profitable businesses that employ hardworking Americans," remarked Tuberville. He argued that the government's focus should be on fostering an economic environment that supports small businesses and family farms rather than taxing them out of existence. Tuberville is committed to advocating for policies that incentivize the next generation of farmers and business owners, ensuring their contributions to a robust economy.

Senator Thune's Vision

Echoing Tuberville's sentiments, Senator Thune highlighted the critical role of family farms and ranches in the economy and rural communities of South Dakota. "Family farms and ranches play a vital role in our economy and are the lifeblood of rural communities in South Dakota," said Thune. He stressed the importance of eliminating the death tax to prevent the loss of even a single family farm or ranch. Thune called for an end to this burdensome tax to enable family-owned enterprises to expand and thrive without the threat of costly estate planning or overwhelming tax liabilities.

Support from Fellow Senators

The Death Tax Repeal Act has garnered widespread support from numerous senators, including Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), among others. The legislation has also received backing from U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), who introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background on the Estate Tax

The death tax has been a contentious issue for years. In 2017, the Senate attempted to repeal the estate tax during the consideration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). While the final version of the TCJA did not abolish the death tax, it effectively doubled the individual estate and gift tax exclusion to $10 million (approximately $13.9 million in 2025 dollars) through 2025. This increase has shielded more families and generational businesses from the tax's impact. However, the heightened exclusion is set to expire at the end of 2025, leading to increased uncertainty and planning costs for family-owned enterprises.

Conclusion

The reintroduction of the Death Tax Repeal Act represents a significant step toward permanently eliminating a tax that many believe hampers the growth and sustainability of family-owned farms, ranches, and businesses. As Senators Tuberville and Thune continue to push for this legislation, its potential passage could offer much-needed relief and long-term stability to countless American families and their enterprises.