Tax law is changing once again, and whether you’re a small business owner, self-employed professional, or just trying to plan ahead, staying informed is crucial. The recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” brings sweeping updates to the U.S. tax code, including significant revisions for individuals, businesses, estates, and international entities.
At Number Nerds, we specialize in helping individuals and small businesses navigate these changes with clarity and confidence. In this article, our San Diego tax professionals break down what these new tax provisions mean for you, and how our tax planning services can help you stay compliant and maximize your financial strategy.
Most changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect on January 1, 2026, though some are retroactive and may affect your 2025 tax return (filed in 2026).
Key Changes for Individuals:
- No tax on tips up to $25,000, phased out over $150k single / $300k joint AGI starting in 2025
- No tax on overtime up to $12,500 single / $25,000 joint, phased out over $150k single / $300k joint AGI starting in 2025
- Increased Child Tax Credit, up to $2,200 in 2026
- Additional senior deduction, $6,000, phased out over $75k single / $150k joint modified AGI
- Temporarily increased SALT cap to $40,000 with phaseout over $500,000 AGI
- Deduction for interest payments on US-assembled vehicles
- End of new and used Electric Vehicle Credit as of September 30, 2025
- End of solar and energy efficient home improvements credits after Dec 31, 2025
- Above-the-line charitable deduction ($1,000 single / joint $2,000), and 0.5% AGI floor for itemizers starting in 2026
- Increase in the standard deduction
- Expanded 529 Plan flexibility: more qualified expenses and higher withdrawal caps for K-12 starting in 2026
- Permanent Qualified Opportunity Zones program with improved incentives starting in 2027
- Enhanced Qualified Small Business Stock benefits: lower holding period, higher gain limits starting in 2025
HSA (Health Savings Account) highlights starting in 2026:
- HSA contributions allowed for Medicare Part A enrollees and ACA Bronze/Catastrophic plan participants
- Extra contribution of $4,300 (individual) / $8,550 (family), phased outs over $75k single / $150k joint AGI
- Gym memberships up to $500/year to be reimbursable
- Both spouses aged 55+ can make catch-up contributions to the same HSA
Business highlights:
- 1099-NEC reporting threshold increased to $2,000
- 1099-K issuance threshold increase to $20,000 and 200 transactions
- Restoration of 100% bonus depreciation
- Restoration of expensing of certain R&D costs
- Business interest deductions moving back to the EBITDA standard (allowing more deductions)
- 100% expensing for certain manufacturing structures (temporary)
- Increased Section 179 limits
Below is a detailed breakdown of the major provisions included in the final bill across the individual, business, estate, and international tax code:
Individual Tax Provisions
- Tax Bracket Adjustments:
- Makes the 10%, 12%, and 22% bracket changes permanent
- Adjusts brackets further for inflation starting in 2025
2025 Federal Income Tax Brackets
| Tax Rate | For Single Filers | For Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns | For Heads of Households |
| 10% | $0 to $11,925 | $0 to $23,850 | $0 to $17,000 |
| 12% | $11,925 to $48,475 | $23,850 to $96,950 | $17,000 to $64,850 |
| 22% | $48,475 to $103,350 | $96,950 to $206,700 | $64,850 to $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,350 to $197,300 | $206,700 to $394,600 | $103,350 to $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,300 to $250,525 | $394,600 to $501,050 | $197,300 to $250,500 |
| 35% | $250,525 to $626,350 | $501,050 to $751,600 | $250,500 to $626,350 |
| 37% | $626,350 or more | $751,600 or more | $626,350 or more |
- Standard Deduction Enhancement (starting 2025):
- Single: $15,750
- Joint filers: $31,500
- Head of household: $23,625
- Indexed for inflation thereafter
- Personal Exemption:
- Eliminated permanently
- Senior Deduction (2025–2028):
- $6,000 for each qualifying senior
- Applies to both itemizers and non-itemizers
- Phases out at $75k single / $150k joint modified AGI
- Child Tax Credit:
- Made permanent
- Increased to $2,200 in 2026, inflation-adjusted afterward
- Mortgage Interest Deduction:
- $750,000 principal limit made permanent (loans incurred after 12/15/2017)
- State and Local Tax (SALT) Itemized Deduction Cap:
- Temporarily increased to $40,000 in 2025
- Rises 1% annually through 2029
- Phases out for incomes over $500,000
- Reverts to $10,000 flat cap in 2030
- Itemized Deductions:
- Deduction value capped at 35% for top-bracket taxpayers
- Several limitations made permanent
- Casualty losses, moving expenses (exceptions apply), miscellaneous deductions (except educator expenses)
- Pease limitation eliminated
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT):
- Exemption increases made permanent
- Phaseout thresholds revert to 2018 levels ($500k single / $1M joint), inflation-adjusted
- Phaseout rate increased
- Charitable Contributions (starting in 2026):
- Adds a permanent above-the-line deduction even if not itemizing:
- $1,000 for individuals / $2,000 for joint filers
- Creates a 0.5% AGI floor (minimum threshold before deduction is allowed) on itemized deductions for amounts higher than above
- Adds a permanent above-the-line deduction even if not itemizing:
- Repeals Green Energy Credits:
- Ends individual credits:
- New and used Electric Vehicle credit after Sept 30, 2025
- Solar and energy efficient home improvements credits after Dec 31, 2025
- Ends individual credits:
- New Temporary Deductions (2025–2028):
- No tax on tip income up to $25,000; phased out over $150k single / $300k joint AGI
- No tax on overtime pay up to $12,500 ($25,000 joint); phased out over $150k single / $300k joint AGI
- Auto loan interest deduction up to $10,000 annually for new U.S.-assembled vehicles; phased out at $100k single / $200k joint AGI
- The loan must have originated after Dec 31, 2024
- This is an income deduction, not a tax credit (e.g. $50k loan @ 6% = $3,000 income deduction)
- Trump Savings Account:
- $1,000 federal deposit US citizens born between 2025 and 2028
- Up to $5,000 annual after-tax contributions (no deduction)
- Withdrawals allowed for qualified uses such as higher education and first-time home purchases: half at age 18–25, balance after; taxed as ordinary income rates
- Note: In contrast, 529 plans allow tax-free growth and withdrawals for education
- 529 Plan Changes starting in 2026:
- K–12 withdrawals doubled: now $20,000 per year (up from $10K)
- Expanded qualified expenses: includes books, supplies, exams, tutoring, continuing education, and workforce training
- ABLE rollovers & Saver’s Credit: ABLE account benefits made permanent
- Qualified Opportunity Zones: What’s New after Dec 31, 2026
| Feature / Rule | Before the Bill | After the Bill |
| Deferral of Original Capital Gain | Until 12/31/2026 | Rolling 5-year deferral from investment date |
| 10% Basis Step-Up on Deferred Gain | Yes, if held for 5 years before 2026 | Yes, for all investments held 5+ years |
| 30% Basis Step-Up (Rural QOFs) | Not available | Available for rural-designated QOFs |
| Full Exclusion of QOF Appreciation | Yes, after 10-year hold | Same |
| Deadline to Invest for Old Rules | Dec 31, 2026 | N/A (no deadline; rolling basis) |
| Redesignation of Opportunity Zones | Not required | Required every 10 years (starting 2027) |
| Substantial Improvement Test (Rural) | 100% improvement threshold | 50% improvement threshold for rural QOFs |
| Puerto Rico Treatment | Blanket designation | Capped at 25% of eligible tracts |
| Capital Gain Reinvestment Window | 180 days from gain realization | Same |
| Applies to Gains from | Real estate, stocks, business sales, etc. | Same |
- Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS): What’s new starting in 2025
| Feature / Rule | Before the Bill | After the Bill |
| Minimum holding period for 100% exclusion | 5 years | Same |
| Partial exclusions for shorter holds | None | 50% at 3 years, 75% at 4 years |
| Applies to stock issued | Anytime | QSBS issued after July 4, 2025 |
| Maximum gain exclusion per issuer | $10 million or 10× basis | $15 million or 10× basis (indexed for inflation in 2027) |
| Gross asset test | Must be < $50 million before & after issuance | Increased to < $75 million (indexed for inflation in 2027) |
Quick rule of thumb for QSBS: If the business is a U.S. C-Corporation, sells a product, owns IP, or builds a technology platform, it’s likely to qualify. If it’s a service based primarily on expertise or reputation, it likely doesn’t.
HSA (Health Savings Account) Provisions
Starting in 2026
- Telehealth Services
- HDHPs (High Deductible Health Plans) can now cover telehealth services before the deductible is met without jeopardizing HSA eligibility
- Eligibility Enhancements
- Medicare Part A Enrollees: Previously disqualified, these individuals can now contribute to HSAs
- ACA Plan Participants: Enrollment in Bronze or Catastrophic plans no longer affects HSA eligibility
- Direct Primary Care: Membership fees up to $150/month are compatible with HSA contributions or $300 if the plan covers more than one person
- On-Site Clinics: Access to limited-service on-site clinics does not disqualify HSA eligibility
- Contribution Adjustments
- Income-Based Increases: Additional contributions of $4,300 (individual) and $8,550 (family) are allowed, with phase-outs starting at $75k single / $150k joint AGI
- Spousal Contributions: Both spouses aged 55+ can make the $1,000 catch-up contributions to the same HSA
- Qualified Expenses Expansion
- Fitness and Wellness: Gym memberships and similar activities up to $500/year are now reimbursable
- Pre-Establishment Expenses: Medical expenses incurred within 60 days before establishing an HSA are eligible for reimbursement
Estate Tax Provisions
- Increased Lifetime Exemption (2026 onward):
- $15 million for individuals
- $30 million for joint filers
- Indexed to inflation
Business Tax Provisions
- 1099 Reporting Thresholds:
- 1099-NEC and MISC reporting thresholds increased to $2,000 starting in 2026
- 1099-K issuance threshold increased to $20,000 and 200 transactions starting in 2026
- Research & Development (R&D):
- Immediate expensing permanently restored
- Small businesses (under $31M in receipts) can expense retroactively back to post-12/31/21
- Larger firms can accelerate deductions over one or two years for 2021–2025 activity
- Interest Deduction:
- EBITDA-based limitation reinstated permanently (allowing more deductions)
- Bonus Depreciation:
- 100% bonus depreciation permanently restored for short-lived investments placed in service after Jan 19, 2025
- Building Expensing:
- 100% expensing for qualifying structures built between Jan 19, 2025 – Jan 19, 2029 and placed in service by 2031
- Section 199A (Pass-through Deduction):
- Made permanent
- Phase-in threshold increased by $50k (non-joint) and $100k (joint)
- Minimum deduction of $400 for those with $1,000+ in QBI
- Charitable Contributions:
- 1% floor on corporate deductions
- Energy Credits Changes:
- Repeals clean electricity credits (45Y, 48E) after 2027 — except for nuclear, hydro, geothermal, and storage
- FEOC (foreign entities of concern) content limits imposed
- Adds excise tax for non-compliant wind/solar projects
- Hydrogen & Energy Efficiency:
- Repeals hydrogen production (45V) and energy-efficient building (179D) credits
- Clean Fuel Credit (45Z):
- Extended to 2030 and eligibility expanded
- Expanded Qualifying Income:
- Adds income from hydrogen storage, carbon capture, nuclear, hydro, and geothermal projects to PTP-qualified income
- Drilling Cost Rule:
- Intangible drilling costs now count toward adjusted financial statement income
International Tax Provisions
- GILTI Renamed:
Now Net CFC Tested Income (NCTI)- Top rate: 12.6%–14%
- Foreign tax creditability increased to 90%
- QBAI exclusion removed
- FDII Renamed:
Now Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income (FDDEI)- Fixed 14% rate
- Mirrors NCTI reforms
- BEAT (Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax):
- Raised to 10.5%
- U.S. tax credits remain allowable
With the complexity of these new tax rules, now is the time to consult a trusted CPA in San Diego. Whether you need year-round bookkeeping, tax planning services near you, or guidance on optimizing your small business finances, Number Nerds is here to help. We keep your tax strategy proactive, not reactive.
Our team is well-versed in the latest regulations and offers expert tax compliance services tailored to your individual or business needs. Let us help you stay ahead of the curve and turn these tax changes into opportunities.
Need help making sense of the new tax laws?
Schedule a consultation with Number Nerds today and discover how our small business CPAs in San Diego can guide your financial future.