The “One Big Beautiful Bill”: What Business Owners Need to Know

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, reshapes a lot of tax rules that touch everyday business decisions, from buying equipment to offering benefits. Here’s a recap of our recent webinar, with a focus on what matters for your company and for you as a business owner.

The big wins for businesses

100% bonus depreciation is back (and “permanent”)
For property placed in service after Jan. 19, 2025, you can fully expense eligible purchases in year one. A one-year transition election helps if you planned for lower rates. Pair with cost segregation to accelerate write-offs.

Section 179 gets larger
For tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, expensing limits jump to $2.5M (phase-out begins at $4M), indexed for inflation.

New 100% write-off for certain real property
Qualified U.S. production facilities started after January 19, 2025 and finished before January 1, 2031 may qualify, which is an incentive to onshore manufacturing.

1099 relief

  • 1099-K returns to a higher bar starting in 2025. Reporting kicks in only if both $20,000+ and 200+ transactions.
  • Standard 1099-NEC/MISC threshold rises from $600 to $2,000 in 2026 (inflation-indexed from 2027).
Employee benefits you can use to recruit/retain 
  • Dependent care FSA exclusion increases to $7,500 (after 2025).
  • Employer student-loan payments under education assistance plans are permanent and tax-free to employees.
  • Meals & entertainment tweaks in 2026: Entertainment is still non-deductible while “employer convenience” meals lose the 50% deduction. Client meals stay 50% and company parties remain 100%.
  • R&D expensing (domestic) has been reinstated, with a retroactive option for 2022–2024 for certain small businesses.
  • Opportunity Zones made permanent.
  • ERC enforcement tightens (6-year statute; no payments for claims filed after Jan. 31, 2024).
Benefits for you as an individual
  • Tax brackets & higher standard deductions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are made permanent (with slight tweaks at the low end).
  • SALT cap relief. Temporarily increases to $40,000 for 2025 (phased out at higher incomes), edges up slightly through 2028, then reverts to $10,000 in 2029.
  • QBI (199A) is permanent. Expect wider phase-outs and, starting 2026, a $400 minimum deduction if you have at least $1,000 of QBI.
  • 529 plans expand (more K-12 and skills/credential uses starting after 2025).
  • New kids’ investment accounts (2025–2028 births): contribute up to $5,000/year after-tax, federal adds $1,000, favorable tax on qualified uses (college, first home, starting a business).
  • Estate & gift exclusion effectively set at $15M in 2026 (inflation-indexed).

In addition, temporary deductions available from 2025 to 2028 include:

  • Senior deduction: $6,000 per person ($12,000 Married Filing Joint Returns) age 65+.
  • Tip income: Deduction up to $25,000 (MAGI phase-outs apply).
  • Overtime: Deduction up to $12,500 per taxpayer (phase-outs apply).
  • Car-loan interest: Deduct up to $10,000 on new, U.S.-assembled personal vehicles (interest incurred after 12/31/24, phase-outs apply). Excludes Fleet Sales, Used Cars, Cash Out Loans on Previous Purchased Vehicles, Lease Financing, and Related Party Loans
Next Steps

This law is complex, with phase-outs, overlapping dates, and many moving parts. We recommend viewing the recording of the webinar and consulting the accompanying slide deck..

The IRS is also working through staffing and budget constraints, so filing season guidance could be late. Treat 2025–2026 as a planning window, not a “set it and forget it.”

As always, we are here to help. If you have any questions about how this legislation applies to your situation, call us at 215-723-4881.

One source, many services, the right decision.

If you have questions about next steps or if we can be of service, please contact us online or call 215-723-4881.

(Please note: This presentation is for general introduction only and should not be relied upon for planning purposes, as regulations and interpretations are still being developed. Dollar amounts generally apply to Married Filing Joint returns, with other filing statuses likely having different amounts.)

Steven L. Moyer Appointed to AICPA Tax Practice Responsibilities Committee

We are proud to announce that Steven L. Moyer, CPA/PFS, CGMA, CSEP, Shareholder and a Director of Canon Capital Management Group’s CPA & Accounting Services division, has been appointed to serve on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Tax Practice Responsibilities Committee (TPRC). His 12-month term began May 14, 2025, and will run through May 2026.

This prestigious appointment is a significant professional honor. Steven is one of only five new members selected for this term, joining a group of 15 experts from across the nation. The AICPA chose these individuals for their experience, insight, and dedication to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards in the field of tax services.

About the TPRC

The TPRC plays a critical role in shaping and maintaining the ethical framework that guides AICPA members in their tax practices. Committee responsibilities include:

  • Developing and reviewing practice aids to help CPAs maintain the highest level of ethical standards and quality control in tax services
  • Monitoring changes in both internal and external ethical standards, such as the AICPA’s Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTSs), Treasury Circular 230, and the Internal Revenue Code
  • Collaborating with the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility and other key regulatory bodies
  • Contributing subject matter expertise on advocacy and practitioner oversight issues
  • Working closely with AICPA staff, technical resource panels, and the Tax Executive Committee to support tax practitioners nationwide

Steven’s Commitment to Excellence

Steven L. Moyer brings more than three decades of experience in accounting and tax to the committee. He is known for his strategic thinking, high ethical standards, and leadership in risk management and quality control.

Please join us in congratulating Steven on this well-deserved appointment and honor. His service to the TPRC will not only benefit AICPA members across the country but also continue to strengthen the quality and ethical foundation of the services we provide here at Canon Capital Management Group, benefitting our service to all clients.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Is Here: Now What?

You are invited to join us for a webinar on Wednesday August 6, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:30 am via Zoom for a session with Steven Moyer, CPA/PFS, CGMA, CSEP and Brent Thompson, CPA, CMA, CGMA as we discuss what this means for you and your business. This event is free of charge, but you must register to receive the Zoom link. Please register by Friday August 1, 2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  You DO NOT need to be a Canon Capital client to attend, so feel free to share this with business acquaintances. Register here.

 Until then, this blog post outlines a summary of the key changes.

What the New “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Means for You: A Practical Look at H.R. 1

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed H.R. 1, the “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” (BBBA) into law. It’s being called the biggest update to the tax code since 2017, touching nearly every corner of the Internal Revenue Code, affecting individual, business, international, energy, and education tax provisions.

Prior to being signed into law, the Senate made several changes to the House-passed version, including making full expensing permanent, adjusting the phase-out of clean energy credits, and modifying the SALT deduction cap.

What does it all mean for you, your family, or your business?

Highlights for Individuals

Permanent Lower Individual Tax Rates
The reduced individual tax rates (10,12,22,24,32,35 & 37%) established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are made permanent, preventing a scheduled reversion to higher pre-2018 rates after 2025.

Standard Deduction and Personal Exemptions
The increased standard deduction is made permanent and further increased to $23,625 for heads of household and $15,750 for singles, and $31,500 for married filing joint effective after 2024.

The suspension of personal exemptions is made permanent, except for a new $6,000 deduction for seniors (age 65+), available through 2028 and phased out at higher incomes.

Child Tax Credit
The expanded child tax credit is made permanent, increased to $2,200 per child with inflation adjustments, and includes stricter Social Security Number (SSN) requirements.

Qualified Business Income Deduction (Section 199A)
The phase-in threshold is increased to $75,000 ($150,000 joint), and a $400 minimum deduction is established for active business income, with inflation adjustments.

Estate & Gift Tax
The exemption is permanently increased to $15 million (indexed), effective for estates and gifts after 2025.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
Increased exemption and phaseout thresholds are made permanent, with modifications to inflation adjustments and phaseout rates.

Other Notable Individual Provisions

  • Mortgage interest deduction: $750,000 cap made permanent; restores mortgage insurance premiums treated as interest.
  • Casualty loss deduction: Limitation to federally declared disasters is made permanent and expanded to include state-declared disasters.
  • Miscellaneous itemized deductions: Suspension made permanent, except for expanded educator expenses.
  • Itemized deduction limitation (Pease): New formula reduces itemized deductions by 2/37 of the lesser of deductions or income above the 37% bracket threshold.
  • State and local tax (SALT) deduction: Cap increased to $40,000 ($20,000 MFS) for 2025, indexed for inflation, with a phase-down for high incomes, reverting to $10,000 after 2029.
  • Temporary deductions: New deductions for tips, overtime pay, and interest on loans for new U.S.-assembled vehicles (2025–2028), all phased out at higher incomes.
What Business Owners and Investors Need to Know

 Full Expensing and Depreciation

  • 100% bonus depreciation for qualified business property is made permanent.
  • Section 179 expensing limit increased to $2.5 million, with a phaseout at $4 million, both indexed for inflation.
  • Special 100% expensing for certain nonresidential real property used in qualified production activities.

Research & Development
Domestic research and experimental expenditures can be fully expensed immediately; foreign R&D remains amortized over 15 years.

Business Interest Deduction
EBITDA add-back is restored permanently, increasing allowable business interest deductions.

Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit
Credit increased to 35% of qualified investment.

International Tax Reform

  • Modifications to the foreign tax credit, including an increase in the deemed paid foreign tax credit percentage to 90%.
  • Changes to sourcing rules for inventory sales.
  • Modifications to FDII and GILTI deductions (GILTI renamed “net CFC tested income” and the deemed return repealed).
  • Look-through rule for related CFCs made permanent; 1-month deferral election for specified foreign corporations repealed; downward attribution of stock ownership limited.
Family, Education & Community Incentives

Employer-Provided Child Care Credit
Credit increased to 40% (50% for small businesses), up to $500,000 ($600,000 for small businesses), with inflation adjustments.

Adoption and Dependent Care

  • Up to $5,000 of the adoption credit is refundable, with inflation adjustments.
  • Dependent care assistance exclusion limit increased to $7,500 ($3,750 MFS).
  • Child and dependent care tax credit: Applicable percentage increased to 50%, phased down at higher AGI levels.

Education Incentives

  • New $1,700 federal credit for individual contributions to state-approved K-12 scholarship organizations.
  • 529 account qualified expenses expanded; annual limit for K-12 expenses increased to $20,000.

Community Development

  • Opportunity Zones: Designations and benefits made permanent, with decennial re-designation, expanded reporting, and new rural opportunity funds.
  • Low-Income Housing and New Markets Tax Credits: Both made permanent, with enhancements.
Charitable, Nonprofit & Estate Rules

Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction
Increased to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) and made permanent.

Charitable Deduction Floors
0.5% floor imposed for individuals and 1% for corporations, with carryforward rules.

Excise Tax and Compensation

  • Graduated excise tax rates on private college endowments, with expanded definitions of investment income.
  • Tax on excess compensation: Definition of covered employees expanded to include any employee or former employee ever covered after 2016.
Energy, Crypto & Other Miscellaneous Updates

Clean Energy Credits
Credits for clean vehicles, alternative fuel property, energy-efficient home improvements, residential clean energy, and others are terminated earlier than under prior law.

Restrictions on Foreign Ownership
Several energy credits denied to specified foreign entities and foreign-influenced entities.

Phase-Outs and Modifications
Clean fuel production credit extended through 2029 but limited to fuels from U.S., Mexico, or Canada feedstocks; negative emission rates generally prohibited except for animal manure fuels.

Other Notable Provisions

Trump Accounts
New tax-advantaged accounts for children under 18, with a $5,000 annual contribution limit and a $1,000 government-funded pilot for newborns (2025–2028).

Reporting Thresholds
1099-MISC/NEC threshold increased to $2,000, indexed for inflation; de minimis threshold for third-party network transactions restored to $20,000/200 transactions.

Litigation Financing Tax
Proposed tax on litigation financing contracts was removed from the final law.

Crypto Reporting
IRS reporting requirements for DeFi digital asset brokers repealed; IRS prohibited from issuing similar rules in the future.

Procedural and Effective Dates
Most provisions take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, or December 31, 2025, with some exceptions for specific credits, deductions, and reporting requirements.

The Bottom Line

This new law is dense and far-reaching. While some changes bring permanent certainty (like the individual tax rates and business expensing), others have ticking clocks, with phase-outs and special deductions set to expire in a few years. Taxpayers should review these changes carefully and consult their tax advisors to assess the impact on their specific circumstances and to plan accordingly for the new law’s various effective dates and transitional provisions.

Next Steps

It’s a great time to review your tax planning. Let us help you understand how these changes could impact you and create a strategy to make the most of the new rules. Contact us online or call 215-723-4881.

New Philadelphia Wage Tax Rates as of July 1, 2025

The City of Philadelphia recently lowered its Wage Tax rates, with new rates now in effect as of July 1, 2025. Here’s what employers need to know:

  • 3.74% for residents (down from 3.75% in 2024)
  • 3.43% for non-residents (down from 3.44% in 2024)

Any paycheck that you issue with a pay date after June 30, 2025, must have the City of Philadelphia Wage Tax withheld at the new rates for residents and nonresidents.

If you have any questions or need help making the adjustment, our team is here for you. Call us at 215-723-4881.

Three Things to Know for Q3 2025

As we move into the second half of the year, it’s a great time to revisit important deadlines, stay alert to evolving threats, and take a second look at the technologies we’re increasingly relying on. Here are three key things to keep on your radar.

Pennsylvania’s Annual Report Filing Deadline Is June 30.

If your business is registered in Pennsylvania, don’t miss the new state-mandated filing requirement. All LLCs, corporations, and other entities must submit their annual report to the Pennsylvania Department of State, a change that took effect this year.

Annual filing reports must be filed online, and there is a $7 fee (except for non-profits).

Filing deadlines are as follows:

  • Corporations and non-profits: June 30, 2025
  • Limited Liability Companies, domestic and foreign: September 30, 2025
  • All other associations (limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, business trusts, professional associations) domestic and foreign: December 31, 2025

Filing is required annually moving forward, and failing to do so could eventually lead to administrative dissolution. Need a refresher? Our blog breaks down everything you need to know, including what to file and where.

Payroll Fraud Is on the Rise. Here’s How to Protect Your Business.

Payroll fraud is evolving and getting more convincing. One common scam involves fraudulent requests to change direct deposit information, often made to look like they’re coming from one of your employees.

Here are a few key tips to help safeguard your payroll:

  • Verify changes verbally: Call employees directly to confirm any payroll or banking updates.
  • Check email addresses closely: Look for small typos or unfamiliar domains.
  • Use official forms only: Require secure, approved documents for direct deposit changes.
  • Avoid Green Dot cards: These are frequently used in fraudulent schemes.
  • Encrypt sensitive data: Never send private info via unprotected email.
  • Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA): Preferably to a mobile phone, not an email address.

 For everyday scam protection, follow these suggestions:

  • Don’t open attachments or links from unknown senders.
  • Never process payroll changes based on email alone.
  • Be wary of urgent or unusual requests for personal or financial data.

 One last tip? If you don’t already have cybersecurity insurance, now’s the time to consider it.

 Don’t Believe Everything the Robot Tells You

 AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, but they’re not foolproof. One of the biggest risks with artificial intelligence is a phenomenon known as AI hallucination, which is when a chatbot confidently presents incorrect or entirely made-up information.

A 2023 study found that AI systems hallucinate facts up to 27% of the time, and nearly half of all AI-generated content contained some kind of factual error.

Some examples are funny. like being told to use glue to adhere cheese to pizza crust. Others are far more serious, especially when users don’t realize the information is wrong, like a fabricated legal citation, invented statistics, or a phony business recommendation.

Bottom line: Just because something sounds right doesn’t mean it is right. Always double-check facts with a reliable, human-vetted source.

We’re Here to Help

Have questions about any of these topics? Whether you need help filing your annual report, want to tighten up your payroll security, or are unsure what tech tools make sense for your business, we’re here to help. Call 215-723-4881 with any questions.

Five Reasons to Outsource Your Payroll

Running a business is no small task. You’re juggling customers, employees, and operations while somewhere in the middle of all that is payroll. It might seem manageable at first, but it doesn’t take long before calculating hours, tracking deductions, and keeping up with tax rules starts to feel like a full-time job.

That’s why more and more small and mid-sized business owners are choosing to outsource their payroll. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about gaining peace of mind and making smarter use of your time and resources.

Here are five ways outsourcing payroll can make a big difference:

1. You Don’t Have to Worry About Tax Rules Anymore

Tax laws are always changing, and keeping up with them is practically a job in itself. Federal, state, and local requirements all have their own timelines, paperwork, and penalties for getting it wrong.

When you work with a professional payroll provider like our team here at Canon Capital, we handle all of that for you. You get the confidence of knowing everything is filed correctly and on time without the stress of trying to keep track of every regulation yourself.

2. We Handle the Local Taxes You Might Not Even Know About

If you operate in Pennsylvania, you know local earned income tax (EIT) and local services tax (LST) can be confusing, especially if you’re dealing with multiple municipalities or your employees live in different places.

We take care of all the local tax filings for you. That means no digging through forms or Googling which office needs what. We’ve got it covered, so you can focus on running your business.

3. You’ll Free Up Hours Every Month

Payroll isn’t just “cutting checks.” It’s entering data, double-checking math, managing deductions, generating reports, and filing returns over and over again. If you’re handling that in-house, you’re spending valuable time on something that doesn’t generate revenue.

Outsourcing payroll gives you those hours back. More time for customers, more time for strategy, more time to actually grow your business.

4. It Reduces Risk and Helps You Avoid Costly Mistakes

Payroll errors aren’t just annoying, they can get expensive. A small misstep in withholding or a missed deadline can lead to fines, frustrated employees, and time you can’t afford to waste fixing it.

Our reliable systems and careful review processes keep things accurate from the start. We catch the little things so they don’t turn into big problems.

5. You Get a Team Who Knows Payroll Inside and Out

As your business grows, your payroll gets more complex. New hires, changes in tax laws, and expanded benefits, it all adds up fast.

That’s why working with a payroll partner—not just a processor—matters. Our team is here when you need us, ready to help with questions, offer guidance, and adapt to your business as it evolves. You’re not just a number in a system. We know your name and we’re here to help.

Wondering If It’s Time to Make the Switch?

If payroll is taking up more time than it should, it might be time to talk. Let’s take payroll off your plate.

Contact us online or call 215-723-4881 to learn more about how we can help your business run smoother.

Is It Time to Rethink Your Cybersecurity? Here’s Why Zero Trust Matters

When it comes to cybersecurity, the old way of doing things—including trusting anything inside your network—just doesn’t cut it anymore. Threats are smarter, faster, and always changing. That’s why more businesses are moving to a Zero Trust approach: trust nothing until it’s verified.

If you’re thinking about tightening up your security, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

Always verify identity.
Every time someone logs in, you need to know for sure it’s really them. Strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) isn’t a nice-to-have anymore—it’s a must.

Check the devices too.
It’s not just about the user. Every device trying to connect should meet your security standards. If a device isn’t up to date or secure, it’s a risk.

Limit access.
Only give people access to what they need to do their jobs. Nothing more. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep a breach from spreading.

Keep an eye on everything.
Zero Trust isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it model. You have to keep monitoring users, devices, and activity to catch anything unusual early.

Protect your data—everywhere.
Whether it’s sitting in storage, moving across your network, or being accessed remotely, your data should always be encrypted and secure.

Zero Trust sounds complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Let’s chat about what makes sense for your business—without the overwhelm.

Contact us today to learn how we can help. Call 267.381.2025 or reach us online.

Three Things to Know for Q1 2025

The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, but it also brings important financial and security considerations for you and your business. As we move through the first quarter of 2025, here are three updates you need to know.

BOI Reporting and PA Annual Report Filing

The enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements is currently on hold due to a federal court ruling. This means businesses that have not yet filed do not need to act at this time. However, the situation remains fluid, and reporting requirements may be reinstated later in the year. Stay informed to ensure compliance. Read more.

Starting in 2025, Pennsylvania businesses must file an Annual Report to remain in good standing. This is a new requirement replacing the previous decennial filing system. Reports are due based on your business structure, so be sure to review your deadline and prepare accordingly. Learn more.

Paycheck Calculator—Share with Your Employees

Each tax season, we hear from business owners whose employees are caught off guard by unexpected tax bills. The most common culprit? Insufficient federal tax withholding. To prevent this issue, employees should be encouraged to use the IRS Paycheck Calculator to check their withholding and make any necessary W-4 adjustments. Doing this now can help employees avoid surprises at tax time. Please pass this information along to your team today.

Beware of Tax Season Scams

Tax season is a prime time for scammers looking to steal sensitive financial information. Fraudulent emails, phishing attempts, and fake IRS messages increase significantly this time of year.

Remember:

  • Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.
  • Verify any tax-related emails by contacting the sender directly.
  • Be wary of urgent messages requesting sensitive information.

If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and consult your IT team before taking any action.

Need assistance? We’re here to help. Call 215-723-4881 with any questions.

FinCEN Halts Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement: What It Means for Your BOI Reporting

In keeping with the Department of Treasury’s communicated commitment to reduce regulatory burden on businesses, FinCEN announced on Thursday, February 27, 2025, that it will pause enforcement actions and not issue fines or penalties against companies for failing to file or update beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports. This is pursuant to the previously promulgated Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) reporting deadlines. Refer to the FinCEN announcement at FinCEN Not Issuing Fines or Penalties in Connection with Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlines | FinCEN.gov.

Given the recent legal and legislative developments and related confusion and uncertainty surrounding CTA/BOI reporting, FinCEN’s announcement pausing reporting deadline enforcement is welcome relief for reporting companies and professionals providing CTA/BOI-related services to reporting companies.

FinCEN noted its intent to issue an interim final rule by March 21, 2025, with updated guidance on extending BOI reporting deadlines. In addition, FinCEN stated it plans to seek public comment on potential revisions to existing BOI reporting requirements and will consider those comments as part of a notice of proposed rulemaking to be issued later this year to determine whether modifications to the reporting deadlines are warranted.

PA Annual Filing Update

It is very important to note that the Federal BOI announcement above is different than the new PA Annual Report Filing reports that are currently due. As a reminder, we cannot file these reports, so we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. For more information, see the following:

Here is a summary of the Annual Report filing requirement, providing extremely helpful information to answer questions and start the filing process.

Further help, with step-by-step instructions and screenshots, can be found at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).

As always, we will keep you informed on these and other topics affecting you and your business.

Everything You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s New Annual Report Filing Requirement for 2025

Beginning in 2025, most businesses will have to file a new annual report with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Exceptions include general partnerships, authorities, fictitious names, financial institutions, and other very narrowly defined business types. There are no exceptions according to the size of the business entity.

Annual filing reports must be filed online, and there is a $7 fee (except for non-profits).

Filing deadlines are as follows:

  • Corporations and non-profits: June 30, 2025
  • Limited Liability Companies: September 30, 2025
  • Limited Partnerships: December 31, 2025

The Pennsylvania Department of State is supposed to mail notices of reminders to file but will not be doing so until two months prior to each deadline. Knowing that mail is not always reliable, we would encourage you to file your annual report now.

Here is a summary of the Annual Report filing requirement, providing extremely helpful information to to answer questions and start the filing process.

Further help, with step-by-step instructions and screenshots, can be found at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).

The filing of this annual report is different from the filing requirement for the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) from the federal government. Many other states already have an annual report filing requirement, so we do not expect the court challenges or implementation issues that we have seen regarding BOI filing. We would encourage you to file this annual report with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania now.