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.

Elm Terrace Gardens Technical Support Request

The web based support form is no longer in use. Please use the green IT button on your Windows desktop or system tray to submit a support request. If you do not have the green IT button, please give us a call at 215-723-4881, extension 800, and we will be happy to assist you.

Computer Recycling Program

In an effort to support our environment, provide our customers with a cost-effective, easy way to dispose of their unused computer equipment and comply with local equipment disposal laws, we are announcing a new computer equipment recycling program. Here’s how it works:

At your request, we will recycle your used computer equipment for you. Computers will have their hard drives rendered inoperable (so that there is no possibility of anyone extracting data from them). We will then transport your equipment to a certified computer equipment recycling center for proper disposal.

To encourage as much participation in this program as possible, we are keeping the fee for this service to a minimum. To have your computers recycled, simply:

  1. Complete the form below, indicating the quantity of each item to be recycled
  2. Drop your equipment off at our office (along with this form), or give your equipment to one of our staff persons when they are at your office for another engagement
  3. We will send you an invoice for the service fee

Computer Equipment Recycling Program (PDF)

Vicki Barnes

Director of Payroll Services

Vicki joined Canon Capital in August, 1999 and is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Payroll Services. Vicki has an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Montgomery County Community College and has earned the Certified Payroll Professional designation. She is a member of the national American Payroll Association as well the Lehigh Valley Chapter, where she served as Secretary from 2006-2013.  Vicki resides in Sassamansville with her husband and son and enjoys crafts, reading, and kayaking in her free time.

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.

Services: Let’s Get Started

Accounting

Our team of certified public accountants, certified management accountants, and chartered global management accountants work with you to understand your goals – personal and business.

Payroll

You didn’t start a business to run a payroll company. We stay up-to-date on the latest tax rates and payroll practices so you don’t have to. Our efficient, cost-effective payroll services allow you to continue working on your business goals.

Wealth Management

Technologies

We take the worry out of your computer system management. From cyber threat management to data back-up, we work with you to address your concerns and make sure your systems are working for you.

Canon Capital Technical Support Request

The web based support form is no longer in use. Please use the green IT button on your Windows desktop or system tray to submit a support request. If you do not have the green IT button, please give us a call at 215-723-4881, extension 800, and we will be happy to assist you.

Lori E. Benner

Senior Accountant

Lori began working at Canon Capital in September 2022, bringing over 30 years of experience in corporate and partnership tax preparation and financial statement review. Lori earned her BS in Business Administration from Kutztown University and is a member of PSTAP (Pennsylvania Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals). A Perkasie resident, she relaxes by paddleboarding, doing yoga, baking, gardening, and hiking. Lori also enjoys spending time with her son, Collin, and her two mini Goldendoodles, Reilly and Chewie.