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Tom Meaglia, ChFC®, AEP®,

CLU®, CRPC®, MSFS

Chartered Financial Consultant

Investment Advisor Representative

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

CA Insurance Lic. #0567507

 

Meaglia Financial Consulting

2105 Foothill Blvd., #B140, La Verne, CA 91750

 

Toll Free: 800-386-3700

Bus:         909-593-6105

Cell:         818-681-8600

Fax:         909-593-6120

 

Email: tom@meagliafinancialconsulting.com

Website: www.meagliafinancialconsulting.com

January/February 2026

OBBBA and Businesses

Receptionist taking payment for the customers. African American barber, black small business owner, African American business. Barbershop and happy barber.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, introduces significant tax and financial changes that reshape the landscape for small business owners. This legislation offers opportunities for growth but also presents challenges, requiring strategic planning to maximize benefits.


Qualified Business Income (QBI)
A cornerstone of the OBBBA is the permanent extension of the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction for pass-through entities like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLCs. With increased income phase-out thresholds ($75,000 for single filers, $150,000 for joint) and a $400 minimum deduction for businesses earning at least $1,000 in QBI, this provision enhances tax savings, provided 75% of gross receipts come from qualifying activities.


Expensing
The act also boosts investment through enhanced Section 179 expensing, raising the deduction limit to $2.5 million with a $4 million phase-out, and reinstating 100% bonus depreciation for assets acquired after January 19, 2025. These measures enable small businesses to deduct equipment and property costs upfront, improving cash flow for expansion.


Research-focused businesses benefit from immediate expensing of domestic Research & Experimental costs starting in 2025, with retroactive relief for 2022–2024 for firms with under $31 million in receipts. The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap increases to $40,000 through 2029, aiding owners in hightax states, while pass-through entities can leverage Pass-Through Entity Taxes to bypass individual caps.


Compliance
Compliance burdens ease with simplified reporting. The 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC threshold rises to $2,000 starting in 2026, and third-party payment reporting reverts to a $20,000/200-transaction threshold, reducing administrative tasks for small businesses and gig workers.


Qualified Small Business Stock
The OBBBA enhances Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusions (50% at three years, 100% at five) and offers credits for employerprovided childcare (up to $600,000 for small businesses) and paid family leave, benefiting service industries. However, challenges include stricter 1099 compliance, the rollback of clean energy credits, and potential cost increases from tariffs, which could strain supply chains. Social program cuts may also raise healthcare costs.


Small business owners should consult tax professionals to navigate the OBBBA's complexities, optimize tax benefits, and prepare for economic shifts.


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Thomas Meaglia is an Investment Adviser Representative of Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC, dba, Fusion Capital Management, a registered investment adviser that only conducts business in jurisdictions where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.
Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Fusion Capital Management. Fusion does not endorse any annuity or insurance product, nor does it guarantee any insurance or annuity performance. Annuity and life insurance guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. If you withdraw money from or surrender your contract within a certain time after investing, the insurance company may assess a surrender charge. Withdrawals may be subject to tax penalties and income taxes. Persons selling annuities and other insurance products receive compensation for these transactions. These commissions are separate and distinct from Fusion's investment advisory fees.
Meaglia Financial Consulting and LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC are unrelated companies. This publication was prepared for the publication’s provider by LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC, an unrelated third party. Articles are not written or produced by the named representative.

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