Tom Tiffany, Representative of Wisconsin, has expressed concerns over the federal estate tax, which he claims threatens family farms and small businesses. He argues that new legislation will alleviate the burden on working families. Tiffany made these remarks on X.
“I have heard it from Wisconsinites—the death tax is devastating family farms and small businesses,” said Tiffany. “The OBBB provides significant relief for working families. No family should lose their farm or business after a loved one passes away.”
Debates over the federal estate tax have intensified as Republicans propose raising exemptions to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for couples by 2026. Supporters argue that the tax poses a threat to family farms and small businesses during generational transfers. Critics, however, counter that repealing or reducing it primarily benefits the ultra-wealthy. According to The Washington Post, this change would reduce federal revenue by an estimated $210 billion over ten years, fueling disputes over fairness and fiscal impact.
Only about 0.2% of estates nationwide owe federal estate tax due to high exemption levels, with farm estates accounting for roughly 0.3%. In Wisconsin, IRS data shows just 61 estates owed estate tax in a given year, with only about eight including farm assets. This indicates a limited impact on typical family farms. ProPublica and Ohio State University’s Farm Office report that despite political rhetoric, the tax’s reach remains narrow.
Estate tax exemptions have expanded significantly from $675,000 in 2001 to approximately $13.6 million per individual today under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Without new legislation, the exemption will decrease by half in 2026, potentially exposing more mid-sized farms and businesses to tax liability. According to the USDA Economic Research Service and Congressional Research Service, these shifts directly affect how many family enterprises face burdens during succession.
Tiffany has represented Wisconsin’s 7th District in Congress since 2020 after serving in the State Assembly and Senate. Raised on a dairy farm and trained in agricultural economics, he has prioritized policies supporting family farms and small businesses. Central Wisconsin News reports that Tiffany strongly opposes the federal estate tax, calling it harmful to intergenerational farm transfers and a barrier to economic growth.
