Rep. Ellison Introduces Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 7, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Last week, Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced H.R. 1662, the Common Sense Housing Investment Act, which would replace the mortgage interest deduction with a 15 percent flat rate tax credit on interest paid on mortgages up to $500,000. The tax credit would be available to all homeowners, regardless of whether they claim the standard deduction or itemize their tax deductions.

According to Rep. Ellison’s press release, H.R. 1662 would generate more than $200 billion in revenue over ten years, which it would redistribute into existing affordable rental housing programs, including the Housing Credit, Section 8 rental assistance, the Public Housing Capital Fund, and the Housing Trust Fund.

H.R. 1662 has five original co-sponsors, all of whom are Democrats. They are Representatives John Conyers (MI), Barbara Lee (CA), Bobby Rush (IL), Bobby Scott (VA), and Donna Edwards (MD). The bill has been referred to the Committees on Ways and Means and on Financial Services.

Rep. Ellison also introduced the Common Sense Housing Investment Act in the 113th Congress, as H.R. 1213. At that time it was referred to the Committees on Ways and Means and on Financial Services but no further action was taken.