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TaxBuzz Top 5 - Harvard Sues Trump Administration, "Big Beautiful Bill" Heads to Senate & More

TaxBuzz Top 5 - Harvard Sues Trump Administration, "Big Beautiful Bill" Heads to Senate & More

Each Friday, TaxBuzz brings you the top five tax and accounting headlines you need to know from the workweek. We know life can get busy and you don't always have time to scroll through your news feed to stay informed.

We weed through all of the week's stories to showcase the most important updates in the tax and accounting world.

1. Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Ban on Enrolling International Students

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Credit: Kevin Fleming/Getty Images

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration following a Department of Homeland Security decision barring the school from enrolling new international students. The administration alleges Harvard violated federal law by failing to adequately respond to incidents of antisemitism and by fostering connections with foreign governments, including China. The university argues the action is a politically motivated attack on academic freedom and a violation of constitutional protections.

According to The New York Times, the policy could impact more than 7,000 international students -- nearly a quarter of the Ivy League institution's student body -- and jeopardizes Harvard’s global standing just days before its commencement. Harvard President Alan Garber said the university is “deeply concerned” about the targeting of international scholars and called the action “unprecedented and unlawful.” In its legal complaint, Harvard also accuses the government of retaliation and of circumventing proper legal channels.

The lawsuit is the second major legal challenge between Harvard and the administration in recent months. It follows earlier disputes over research funding and tax-exempt status. If the new policy is upheld, it could deal a significant blow to the broader U.S. academic community, which relies on international enrollment for both intellectual and financial contributions.

A government spokesperson defended the move, citing security concerns and failure to provide requested protest footage and student data. But education groups and policy analysts warn the action could deter global talent from coming to the U.S.

2. Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Apple Over iPhone Manufacturing

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Credit: canart7/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images

President Donald Trump has warned that Apple will face a 25% tariff on iPhones sold in the U.S. unless the company relocates its manufacturing from countries like India and China to the United States. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated, “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

This announcement led to a 3% drop in Apple’s stock and contributed to broader market declines, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq falling by 1.5% and 2%, respectively. Analysts express concern that shifting iPhone production to the U.S. could significantly increase costs, potentially raising the price of an iPhone to as much as $3,500. 

Apple has been diversifying its manufacturing, with plans to produce up to 65% of iPhones in India by fall 2025. Per a CBS report, the company has also committed to investing $500 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next four years, including building a new facility in Houston, Texas. 

Trump’s tariff threat is part of a broader trade strategy, which includes a proposed 50% tariff on European Union goods starting June 1, citing stalled negotiations.

3. House Passes Trump's Sweeping Tax and Spending Bill

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Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images News

In a narrow 215–214 vote, the House of Representatives approved President Donald Trump's expansive "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a 1,100-page legislative package that combines $4.5 trillion in tax cuts with significant reductions to social programs. The bill aims to make permanent the 2017 tax cuts and introduces new exemptions for tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest. Per the AP, to offset the revenue loss, it imposes stricter work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps), cuts green energy incentives, and includes $350 billion in additional spending, $150 billion of which supports Trump's defense and border security goals. 

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would increase deficits by $3.8 trillion over the next decade while resulting in 8.6 million fewer people with health coverage and 3 million fewer SNAP recipients monthly. 

The legislation also targets Planned Parenthood by blocking Medicaid funding, potentially leading to the closure of 200 clinics. Additionally, it would end Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care by 2027 and bar such services from being required in ACA marketplace plans.

Democrats opposed the bill, criticizing it as a burden on low-income Americans and an abandonment of critical social programs. The bill now advances to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.

4. DeSantis Pushes for Property Tax Cuts Amid Legislative Standoff

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Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advocating for a $1,000 property tax rebate for homeowners with a homestead exemption, aiming to provide immediate relief and set the stage for a 2026 ballot initiative to eliminate property taxes entirely. 

The proposal, outlined on the Florida Governor's Office official website, has sparked a budget impasse in the Republican-controlled legislature. House Speaker Daniel Perez favors a sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, arguing that DeSantis's rebate plan is a temporary fix that doesn't address underlying issues. 

DeSantis has criticized the House's approach, labeling a bipartisan committee on property tax reform as a "dog-and-pony show" and accusing lawmakers of stalling meaningful relief. He declined an invitation to discuss his plan before the committee, stating, "That's not the role of the chief executive." 

The debate has delayed the passage of Florida's 2025–26 budget, with the legislative session extended until June 30. DeSantis maintains that property taxes are akin to "rent to the government," advocating for their elimination to allow Floridians full ownership of their homes. 

Critics, including Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, warn that eliminating property taxes—which fund essential services like education and emergency response—could jeopardize local government operations. 

As the budget deadline approaches, the standoff highlights the challenges of balancing tax relief with funding for public services.

5. Texas Offers Tax-Free Weekend for Water-Saving Products

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Credit: Donovan Reese/Getty Images

Texas residents can save money this Memorial Day weekend by purchasing water-efficient and water-conserving products tax-free during the state's annual Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday, running from Saturday, May 24, through Monday, May 26. 

CBS Austin notes that products bearing the WaterSense® label, such as showerheads, bathroom sink faucets, toilets, urinals, and landscape irrigation controls, are eligible for the tax exemption and can be purchased for personal or business use. 

Additionally, certain water-conserving items intended for residential use are also tax-exempt. These include soaker or drip-irrigation hoses, moisture controls for sprinkler or irrigation systems, mulch, rain barrels, permeable ground cover surfaces, plants, trees, grasses, water-saving surfactants, soil, and compost. 

Contractors and service providers can purchase WaterSense products tax-free for inventory without needing an exemption certificate. However, water-conserving products for business use remain taxable. 

Online and telephone orders are eligible for the tax exemption if the purchase is made during the holiday period, even if delivery occurs later. 

The Texas Comptroller's office estimates that shoppers will save approximately $15.2 million in state and local sales tax during this holiday. For more information, residents can contact the Comptroller's office at 800-252-5555 or visit their website.

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Rebekah's search engine optimization career began completely by accident as a college student. Over the course of her career so far, she has "grown up" with the SEO industry, from writing content while juggling classes to managing her own teams of writers and overseeing SEO strategy in subsequent roles. She is excited to bring her passion for high-quality content to CountingWorks, Inc.

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