As the year comes to a close, families across Missouri’s Eighth District are doing what they always do this time of year: taking stock of household budgets and getting ready for the new year. As we turn the page into 2026, many families will start seeing relief immediately that shows up where it matters most: their paychecks and their tax returns. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, 2026 will be the largest tax refund season in American history — allowing Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money instead of sending it to Uncle Sam.

Americans are set to receive an average $1,000 bump in their refunds next year, a lifeline for working families struggling to make ends meet thanks to four years of inflation under President Biden. According to projections from Piper Sandler, refunds are expected to grow by a total of $91 billion, with an additional $30 billion in tax relief from reduced tax withholdings in 2026 alone. Altogether, the Working Families Tax Cuts will deliver $191 billion in net new tax relief in 2026, helping families cover everyday costs, rebuild savings, and plan with more confidence.

For four years under Democrat control of Washington, working families were squeezed by rising prices and a tax code that worked against them. President Biden pledged the largest tax increase in history at the exact moment groceries, gas, and utilities became harder to afford. Republicans not only prevented that tax hike, but we delivered additional relief on top of that. The results are clear: the middle 60 percent of earners will see the largest increase in after-tax income in 2025 and 2026, while higher earners will shoulder a greater share of the tax burden.

Because of Republican’s pro-growth, pro-worker agenda, Americans’ after-tax income is projected to rise by an average of more than five percent in 2026 — a sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s approach. In fact, a separate study by the Tax Foundation found that Democrats’ so-called Inflation Reduction Act actually shrunk incomes for every income level in the long run, underscoring just how different these two economic visions truly are.

As families in southeast and south-central Missouri prepare to file their taxes, they will also feel the impact of specific reforms designed for working people. The doubled standard deduction was made permanent and was further increased. The doubled Child Tax Credit was also made permanent and increased, giving parents more breathing room to afford groceries, school supplies, and other necessities. For many households, these changes alone will translate into thousands of dollars staying at home.

The Working Families Tax Cuts also recognize how hard Missourians work. In a district filled with tipped workers and people who regularly put in overtime, eliminating taxes on these wages means that extra effort finally pays off. When someone picks up another shift or stays late to support their family, the tax code now rewards that commitment instead of penalizing it.

Seniors will benefit from significant tax relief as well. Many retirees on fixed incomes were hit hard by inflation, and these tax cuts respond by allowing middle- and lower-income seniors to keep more of their Social Security benefits. That translates into greater stability and fewer difficult choices for Missouri’s seniors.

I wrote this bill with families who work hard, play by the rules, and simply want a fair shot in mind. As the year winds down and tax season approaches, the Working Families Tax Cuts offer something families have not felt in a long time: meaningful relief, real fairness, and a stronger foundation heading into the new year.