Local Journalism Sustainability Act

This bill creates a temporary federal tax credit to help people pay for subscriptions to local newspapers, in print or online. You could claim back part of what you spend on subscriptions for your personal use, up to $250 per year. The credit covers 80% of your costs in the first year it applies to you, and 50% in later years. It lasts for five years after the law starts.

Only certain outlets count as “local newspapers.” They must focus on original local news, mainly serve a local or regional community, employ at least one reporter who lives in that community, and have no more than 750 employees. They also must have met these rules for the two years before the law and continue to meet them when you pay for the subscription. People who donate to eligible nonprofit local news outlets may choose to treat their donation like a subscription to claim this credit, instead of taking a charitable deduction.

• Who is affected: Individual taxpayers; local news outlets (print or digital), including some nonprofits.
• What changes: A tax credit for local news subscriptions, up to $250 per year; 80% covered the first year, 50% in later years.
• When: Available for five years starting on the law’s enactment; first year you use it gets the higher rate.