Tax Policy
Puerto Rico’s Act 22 tax break draws backlash as critics link it to displacement and rising housing costs
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Puerto Rico’s investor tax incentive known as Act 22—later folded into the island’s broader Act 60 incentives code—has become a flashpoint in debates over housing affordability and displacement, as critics argue the program helps wealthy newcomers reduce their U.S. tax bills while intensifying local pressures on rents and real estate.
The temporary reduction in the mineral oil tax has been in effect since May 1. Consumer prices for gasoline and diesel have dropped noticeably. Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil expects the oil industry to pass on the relief in full and without delay.
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South Africa’s carbon tax has remained intact in the 2026 budget, despite proposals from Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to suspend it amid pressure from fossil fuel lobbies. The tax increased from R236 to R308 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent as of 1 January 2026, continuing its role in climate mitigation efforts. Debates persist on its economic impacts and alignment with job creation needs.
In Nevada, Republicans are promoting a tax deduction on tips from a recent GOP megabill as a win for working-class voters, while Democrats criticize it as temporary and insufficient. The fight intensifies in a state where 5% of workers earn tips, double the national rate, ahead of midterms. Both parties aim to appeal to hospitality workers in tourism-heavy areas like Las Vegas.
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Japan's ruling coalition has secured its first multiparty agreement by accepting the opposition's demand to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate by the end of the year. This breakthrough marks an initial win for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's minority administration in both houses of the Diet. Takaichi has prioritized tackling high prices in her cabinet.