Housing COST Act
Creates a tax credit for eligible renters, with monthly advance payments and income and rent limits.
In the House Ways and Means Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 14 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
A renter tax credit would let eligible tenants offset part of their housing costs through the tax system. The bill would create a credit based on rent and dependents, with income, rent, and dollar limits. Eligible taxpayers could choose to receive estimated payments monthly, with a later tax-return adjustment.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Creates a renter tax credit
A person who leases a principal residence could claim a credit based on rent paid. The percentage rises with the number of dependents: from 8.5% for 1 dependent to 11% for 6 or more dependents.
- Limits the credit amount
The credit could not exceed $4,000 per tax year, and rent above 100% of the applicable small area fair market rent would not count. A taxpayer would be ineligible if their adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000 in the prior tax year.
- Offers monthly advance payments
A taxpayer could elect to receive advance payments, generally based on the estimated annual credit divided into 12 monthly payments. The final credit would be reduced by advances received, and excess advances would increase the taxpayer’s tax for that year.
- Requires renter-credit outreach
The Treasury Secretary would carry out outreach about credit eligibility and advance payments, including efforts to help beneficiaries of other programs enroll. The bill also directs the IRS to notify eligible taxpayers about advance payments.
The bill would create a tax benefit tied to rent paid for a principal residence, making the amount of the benefit depend on a renter’s income, rent, and dependents. Its practical effect would be to let eligible renters receive some of that benefit during the year or claim it through the tax system.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026HOUSESEP 24, 2026By Rep. TranReferred to Ways and Means
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeSEP 24, 2026WAYS & MEANS NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 14 daysNo hearing yet
- 14 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 14, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
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