Quick Answer
The One Big Beautiful Bill expands Section 199A deductions to 25% (up from 20%), raises the Section 179 limit to $1.5 million, and creates a new $25,000 startup expense deduction. Small businesses with under $30 million revenue can now use simplified accounting methods and claim enhanced R&D deductions.
Best Answer
Michelle Woodard, Tax Policy Analyst
Small business owners with revenue under $30 million annually
What are the biggest small business changes in 2026?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act creates four major benefits for small businesses starting in 2026: an expanded Section 199A deduction, higher Section 179 limits, a new startup expense deduction, and simplified accounting requirements.
The Section 199A deduction increases from 20% to 25% of qualified business income for pass-through entities (S-corps, partnerships, sole proprietorships). This means if your business generates $200,000 in qualified income, your deduction jumps from $40,000 to $50,000 — saving roughly $2,500-$3,700 in federal taxes depending on your bracket.
Example: $300,000 revenue consulting business
Let's say you run a consulting firm as an S-corp with $300,000 revenue and $100,000 in expenses, leaving $200,000 in qualified business income:
2025 vs 2026 Section 199A comparison:
The income limits remain the same: full deduction phases out between $230,050-$330,050 (single) or $460,100-$660,100 (married filing jointly) for service businesses.
Higher Section 179 equipment deduction limits
The Section 179 deduction for equipment purchases increases significantly:
This means you can immediately deduct up to $1.5 million in equipment purchases (vehicles, computers, machinery) rather than depreciating them over several years.
Example equipment purchase: If you buy a $75,000 delivery truck in 2026, you can deduct the full amount immediately (if under the limits), saving $16,500-$27,750 in federal taxes depending on your bracket.
New $25,000 startup expense deduction
Previously, startup costs over $5,000 had to be amortized over 15 years. The One Big Beautiful Bill creates a new immediate deduction for up to $25,000 in startup expenses during your first two years of operation.
Qualifying startup expenses include:
Example: A new restaurant spends $22,000 on permits, initial marketing, and pre-opening staff training. Under old rules, only $5,000 was immediately deductible. In 2026, the full $22,000 can be deducted, saving $4,840-$8,140 in federal taxes.
Simplified accounting for businesses under $30 million
Businesses with average annual gross receipts under $30 million (raised from $27 million) can use the cash method of accounting and avoid complex uniform capitalization rules. This reduces bookkeeping complexity and allows more favorable timing of income and deductions.
Enhanced R&D deduction restoration
The bill partially restores immediate R&D expense deductions. Software development costs and research expenses under $2 million annually can now be deducted immediately rather than amortized over 5-15 years.
What you should do
1. Review your business structure — Consider whether pass-through taxation maximizes your Section 199A benefit
2. Plan equipment purchases — The higher Section 179 limits create opportunities for significant 2026 deductions
3. Track startup expenses if you're in your first two years of operation
4. Use our return scanner to identify how these changes affect your specific situation
Key takeaway: Small businesses can save $5,000-$15,000+ annually through the expanded Section 199A deduction (25% vs 20%), higher Section 179 limits ($1.5M vs $1.16M), and the new $25,000 startup deduction.
*Sources: [One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1), [IRS Publication 535](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf)*
Key Takeaway: The expanded Section 199A deduction alone can save small businesses $2,500-$3,700 annually on a $200,000 income, while the $25,000 startup deduction and higher Section 179 limits create additional six-figure savings opportunities.
Key small business changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill
| Deduction Type | 2025 Limit | 2026 Limit | Typical Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 199A | 20% of QBI | 25% of QBI | $2,500-$3,700 on $200k income |
| Section 179 | $1,160,000 | $1,500,000 | $7,480-$12,580 per additional $100k |
| Startup Expenses | $5,000 immediate | $25,000 immediate | $4,400-$7,400 on $20k expenses |
| Cash Accounting Threshold | $27 million | $30 million | $15k-$30k accounting savings |
More Perspectives
Robert Kim, Tax Return Analyst
Small businesses with revenue between $10-30 million annually
How the changes affect higher-revenue small businesses
For businesses approaching the $30 million threshold, the One Big Beautiful Bill creates both opportunities and planning considerations that smaller businesses don't face.
Section 199A phase-out planning becomes critical. With the deduction increasing to 25%, the income thresholds where the deduction phases out create larger tax cliffs. A service business owner earning $330,000 (single) loses a $50,000+ deduction entirely — potentially costing $12,500-$18,500 in additional taxes.
Strategic timing matters more. Higher-revenue businesses should consider:
The $30 million accounting threshold relief is significant for growing businesses. Previously at $27 million, businesses had to switch to accrual accounting and follow complex inventory rules. The higher threshold keeps more businesses on simplified cash accounting.
Example impact: A $28 million manufacturing business can continue using cash accounting in 2026, avoiding the need to track work-in-process inventory under Section 263A uniform capitalization rules — saving $15,000-$30,000 annually in additional accounting costs.
Multi-entity structures benefit more. Higher-revenue businesses often use multiple LLCs or S-corps. Each entity can claim separate Section 179 deductions up to $1.5 million, potentially allowing $3-4.5 million in immediate equipment deductions across related entities.
Key takeaway: Higher-revenue small businesses see the largest absolute dollar savings but need careful planning around Section 199A phase-outs and the $30 million accounting method threshold.
*Sources: [IRC Section 199A](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/199A), [IRS Publication 946](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p946.pdf)*
Key Takeaway: Higher-revenue small businesses can save $25,000-$50,000+ annually but need strategic planning around Section 199A phase-outs and the expanded accounting method threshold at $30 million revenue.
Michelle Woodard, Tax Policy Analyst
Family-owned businesses with multiple family members involved
Special considerations for family-owned businesses
Family businesses face unique opportunities under the One Big Beautiful Bill, particularly around income allocation and succession planning.
Multiple Section 199A deductions become more valuable when family members are separate business owners or partners. A husband-wife team running separate but related businesses (like a restaurant and catering company) can each claim the expanded 25% Section 199A deduction on their respective income.
Family employment strategies benefit from the startup deduction. If you're bringing adult children into the business, their training costs and initial setup expenses may qualify for the $25,000 startup deduction in their first two years of involvement.
Estate planning implications are significant. The enhanced Section 199A deduction increases the value of pass-through business interests, which affects gift and estate tax planning. Higher business valuations may require updated estate planning strategies.
Example family scenario: A family restaurant generates $400,000 annually. The parents (50% owners) and adult son (50% owner) each qualify for Section 199A deductions:
Succession planning gets more complex with higher Section 179 limits. Transferring equipment-heavy businesses to the next generation may trigger larger depreciation recapture events, requiring careful timing of asset transfers.
Key takeaway: Family businesses can multiply the benefits through multiple family members claiming separate Section 199A deductions, but need updated estate planning to account for higher business valuations.
*Sources: [IRS Publication 334](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p334.pdf), [Estate Tax Regulations](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax)*
Key Takeaway: Family businesses can claim multiple Section 199A deductions across family members but need updated succession planning due to higher business valuations from enhanced deductions.
Sources
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 — Federal legislation expanding small business tax benefits
- IRS Publication 535 — Business Expenses deduction guidance
- IRS Publication 946 — How to Depreciate Property including Section 179
Reviewed by Michelle Woodard, Tax Policy Analyst on February 28, 2026
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.