Today, as tax season closes for my state of Kansans, we are reminded of the importance of the Working Families Tax Cuts, passed by Republicans and President Donald Trump to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families across the state and the nation.
This legislation secures real, historic wins for communities across America, including in Kansas. House and Senate Republicans worked hard to deliver tax relief to everyday Americans, across every demographic, with an emphasis on middle-class families.
By making the standard deduction increases permanent and modernizing our tax code, this landmark bill ensures that the average Kansas family will see multithousand-dollar savings year after year. This system is now designed to reward hard work rather than penalize it, and the results are already obvious.
In 2026, Kansas families are projected to see a massive boost in financial relief, with combined tax savings and refunds estimated at $4,000 or more.
Under the full implementation of this framework for the 2026 tax year, a family of four with two children earning $73,000 or less will owe nothing in federal income tax. This ensures these families keep more of their own hard-earned money to cover mortgages, groceries, and education—empowering them to invest in their homes and set the next generation up for success.
We are standing up for the hardworking Kansans who represent the best of our state’s work ethic. Our tax code should reward your drive to succeed, rather than treating your extra effort as nothing more than an opportunity for government to take a larger cut. Twenty-five percent of all taxpayers are already benefiting from no tax on overtime pay. With nearly 20 million Americans now keeping the extra pay they earn for working overtime, we are ensuring that Kansans’ extra efforts translate into extra security for their families.
For our seniors, the Working Families Tax Cuts delivers historic support with a $6,000 senior deduction that is a game-changer. The full deduction is available to taxpayers 65 and older with an income of up to $75,000 for an individual filer and $150,000 for a couple filing jointly. When we look at the data, AARP estimates this results in an average refund increase of $1,320 per senior—direct, meaningful relief for the men and women who have spent a lifetime contributing to the greatness of our state and nation.
While critics continue to insist that these tax cuts aren’t helping anyone, the hard facts are telling a much different story. Refund amounts are up more than 11% compared to last year, giving more Kansans back more of their money while also growing tax revenues and reducing the deficit. In fact, the Working Families Tax Cuts represent the largest deficit reduction in history.
Recent data from the Congressional Budget Office confirms this trend—the federal budget deficit in the first half of fiscal year 2026 was $139 billion lower than the same period last year. This progress is reinforced by a 10-year outlook that demonstrated how pro-growth policies and fiscal restraint can put our nation on a sustainable path for the next decade. We achieved this by prioritizing the taxpayer and ensuring every dollar is used to strengthen our economy.
Democrats and the media are doing everything they can to downplay the savings and benefits Americans will see from the Working Families Tax Cuts, all while defending the illegal immigrants who poured in under President Joe Biden and took advantage of hardworking taxpayers. The Working Families Tax Cuts tighten welfare requirements to strictly exclude illegal immigrants, ensuring that taxpayer-funded benefits are reserved for those who truly need them. By prioritizing American citizens and incentivizing work, we have created a more sustainable and fair system.
Importantly for south-central Kansas, the Working Families Tax Cuts contains policies I have fought hard for since being elected to Congress, including permanent research and development expensing and the ability to utilize full, immediate expensing for business equipment purchases including aircraft. I know that innovation and investment are the lifeblood of our local economy, yet for years, the tax code acted as a drag on our local manufacturers.
By making research and development and immediate expensing permanent through the Working Families Tax Cuts, we have delivered the biggest possible win for the aerospace industry. The results in the Air Capital of the World are undeniable, as business jet deliveries hit 854 units in 2025—an 11.8% increase from the previous year—and total airplane billings reached $31 billion, up 16.1%. That means better-paying jobs right here in our community.
This market strength gives the countless suppliers based here in Kansas’ 4th Congressional District the certainty they need to invest in the next generation of flight. These provisions secure high-tech jobs in Wichita and ensure that Kansas remains the global leader in aviation for decades to come.
As we move past this Tax Day, the proof is right there in the numbers. We have traded an old, broken system for one that works for everyday Kansans, and we’ve made the most critical parts of the tax code—the Child Tax Credit expansion, lower rates for middle-class families, and increased standard deduction—permanent. This new approach honors our seniors, rewards everyone who works hard, and makes sure our local industries stay strong for years to come. The Working Families Tax Cuts are about more than just numbers on a page—they are a promise kept to the people of Kansas.
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