A Big Bill with Big Impacts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has been described as one of the most sweeping tax and economic packages in recent years. While it covers a wide range of topics — from individual tax relief to family incentives — small businesses stand to benefit from several important provisions.
This post highlights the changes most relevant to small business owners, explains how they might affect your finances, and outlines simple steps to take advantage of them.
- Permanent 20% Pass-Through Deduction
One of the biggest wins for small businesses is the permanent extension of the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. This deduction has been a tremendous benefit for owners of pass-through entities and sole proprietorships, which was originally intended to provide a tax break that paralleled the reduction in C corporation rates under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.
If you’re the owner of a sole proprietor, S-corporation, or partnership, this means you can continue to deduct up to 20% of your qualified income — permanently — without worrying about future expirations or sunset provisions, provided you meet the non-limiting requirements of Section 199A.
Why It Matters
- Provides long-term certainty for planning and investment.
- Keeps small business owners on stronger footing relative to large corporations that already enjoy lower rates.
Action Step: Review your business structure with your accountant to confirm you’re maximizing the QBI deduction and eligible income categories.
- 100% Bonus Depreciation and Immediate Expensing
The OBBBA extends full and immediate expensing for certain business assets — including machinery, equipment, and qualified software — through 2030.
Why It Matters
- New equipment or technology can be fully deducted in the year you buy it rather than depreciated over time.
- Helps improve cash flow and encourages reinvestment in your business.
Action Step: If you’re planning equipment or tech purchases, consider moving them forward to take advantage of this full expensing provision.
- Simplified 1099 Reporting and Lower Compliance Burden
The bill simplifies reporting requirements for contractors and payment platforms by raising 1099 thresholds. Beginning in tax year 2026, the threshold will increase from $600 to $2,000 and then will be increased annually for inflation.
Why It Matters
- Fewer small transactions trigger reporting, reducing paperwork and compliance risk.
- Frees up administrative time and cost for small teams with limited accounting resources.
Action Step: Update your bookkeeping and payment systems to ensure they reflect the new thresholds beginning in the 2026 tax year.
- Expanded R&D and Innovation Incentives
The legislation improves tax treatment for domestic research and product development. It restores full expensing of R&D costs and introduces bonus credits for innovation in technology, energy efficiency, and process improvement.
Why It Matters
- Encourages small firms to innovate and grow without being penalized by long amortization schedules.
- Can reduce taxable income for qualifying activities — even modest in-house testing or design efforts.
Action Step: Track all R&D-related expenses — from prototyping to digital tool development — as more of these costs now qualify for deductions or credits.
- Payroll, Tips, and Employee Benefits
The service industry in particular benefits from new deduction for tip income and expanded options for Dependent Care FSAs and childcare tax credits.
Why It Matters
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses gain more favorable treatment of tipped wages.
- Offering childcare or flexible spending benefits can be a valuable recruiting and retention tool in a tight labor market.
Action Step: Work with your payroll provider or HR platform to apply new credits and communicate these benefits to employees in 2025.
- Retirement Plans and Contribution Limits
The OBBBA also includes updates to retirement savings provisions — though most are broad adjustments rather than structural overhauls. Beginning in 2026, contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), and similar plans will increase and be indexed automatically for inflation.
While the One Big Beautiful Bill clearly boosts retirement-plan contribution limits beginning in 2026, small business owners sponsoring a SIMPLE IRA or SEP-IRA should note: there’s no major published change yet that directly alters those plan types’ rules. So, if you continue a SIMPLE or SEP, your administration and limits remain largely as before — but because the law raises limits for 401(k)-type plans, it may be worth reviewing whether your current plan continues to serve your business’s goals, especially if you (or key employees) want to contribute more.
Why It Matters
- Higher contribution limits mean greater tax-deferred savings opportunities for owners and employees.
- Could make switching from a SIMPLE or SEP IRA to a 401(k) more attractive, provided benefits offset the additional administrative costs.
Action Step: Review your retirement plan with your advisor to decide whether your current structure still fits your goals under the new rules.
Final Thoughts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act offers small businesses a powerful combination of tax relief, simplified reporting, and expanded savings opportunities. While not every provision will apply to every business, understanding what’s available — and planning early — can deliver meaningful financial advantages.
Need help keeping your books in check? Give us a call, or send us an email, we’re here to help, so you can focus on running your business.
