MYCPE ONE

Introduction: What Is the OBBB and Why Should You Care?

In 2025, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) is shaping up to be one of the most transformative legislative packages in recent history for U.S. businesses. While headlines focus on tariffs, taxes, and trade, the real impact will hit home for accounting professionals like you. 

If you advise clients, manage payroll, oversee compliance, or drive financial strategy at a CPA firm, the OBBB has wide-ranging implications. From individual tax code overhauls to QBI revisions and payroll shifts, you can’t afford to ignore it. And the good news? With the right CPE courses, you don’t have to. 

Let’s break it down. 

OBBB CPE Courses for Accounting Professionals

To help CPAs and accounting professionals stay ahead, MYCPE ONE offers expert-led, IRS-approved courses dedicated to the nuances of OBBB. Here’s a quick look at what’s available: 

Course Title Description CPE CreditsLink 
OBBB 2025: Trump Accounts and Personal Tax Reform Comprehensive overview of individual taxation changes, estate planning implications, and new deductions under OBBB Enroll Now
OBBB 2025 Part 1: QBI, Deductions, and SALT Changes Deep dive into QBI revisions, new deduction strategies, and SALT cap impact 1.5Enroll Now
Payroll After the OBBB: Tax Withholding & Compliance Updates Real-world guidance on payroll changes, revised brackets, and employer responsibilities 1Enroll Now
OBBB 2025 Energy Strategy and Global Impacts Insights on global effects, energy incentives, and compliance for multinationals 1Enroll Now
OBBB 2025 Tax Reform for Individuals and Businesses Full-spectrum tax law changes for clients and business entities2Enroll Now


Want access to all 15,000+ hours of approved CPE content? Explore MYCPE ONE’s subscription plans to gain unlimited learning access.

The Big Picture: Key Changes Under OBBB - For Individuals & Businesses 

The "Opportunity for Better Business Bill" (OBBB) introduces sweeping reforms that affect both individual taxpayers and businesses. To understand its full impact, we’ve broken down the changes into two core categories: Individuals and Businesses, along with before-and-after snapshots to guide your strategic planning. 

OBBB Changes for Individuals

Here's a clearer, fact-checked breakdown of the major OBBB provisions, grouped into Individuals and Businesses, with details on what changed, who’s affected, before/after snapshots, and why it matters.

Individuals

OBBB

1. Tips Deduction

Who it affects: Employees and independent contractors in tip-based jobs (servers, bartenders, hairstylists, etc.) 

What changed: 

Why it matters: Lowers taxable income directly; could save several hundred dollars each year. 

2. Overtime Deduction

Who it affects: Hourly workers receiving overtime pay under FLSA 

What changed: 

  • Before: Overtime pay taxed like regular income. 
  • After (2025–2028): Deduction up to $12,500 single or $25,000 joint for the “half” portion of time-and-a-half pay; phases out at the same MAGI thresholds (IRS). 

Why it matters: Gives workers more take-home pay; payroll systems need updating. 

3. 1099 Reporting Thresholds

Who it affects: Gig workers, freelancers, small business owners 

What changed: 

Why it matters: Less paperwork and fewer forms; still need to report income above $400. 

4. Senior Deduction

Who it affects: Taxpayers aged 65 and older 

What changed: 

  • Before: Extra standard deduction (~$1,700 single, $1,400 joint). 
  • After (2025–2028): Flat extra deduction of $6,000 per individual ($12,000 joint) phased out above MAGI $75,000 / $150,000 (Senate Finance Committee, Wikipedia). 

Why it matters: It can reduce AGI and taxable income significantly for seniors. 

5. Auto Loan Interest Deduction

Who it affects: Buyers of new U.S.-assembled vehicles 

What changed: 

  • Before: No deduction available. 
  • After (2025–2028): Deduct up to $10,000/year in auto loan interest; phases out above MAGI $100,000/$200,000; VIN reporting required (Wikipedia). 

Why it matters: Helps offset financing costs; lenders must provide reporting form. 

6. Child Tax Credit

Who it affects: Families with children under age 17 

What changed:

  • Before: $2,000 per child. 
  • After: $2,500 per child through 2028, then $2,200—indexed each year (Wikipedia).

Why it matters: More generous credit, especially through 2028; benefits families with kids. 

7. Standard Deduction & Tax Brackets 

Who it affects: All taxpayers 

What changed: 

Why it matters: Removes uncertainty and simplifies tax planning; more income sheltered by deduction. 

8. SALT Deduction Cap

Who it affects: Taxpayers in high-tax states 

What changed: 

  • Before: Cap at $10,000. 
  • After: Raised to $30,000–$40,000 depending on income; sunsets later.

Why it matters: Offers significant relief to affluent filers in states with high income property taxes. 

cta

Here’s a detailed, plain-language breakdown of the Business & Employer side of OBBB, covering each change with what, who it affects, before vs. after, and why it matters: 

Businesses

OBBB

1. Bonus Depreciation & Section 179 Expensing 

What: You can deduct the full cost of qualified property—like equipment, machinery, and even manufacturing buildings—in the year purchased. 

Who: Small to large businesses, manufacturers, real estate investors. 

Before: Bonus depreciation was phasing out; Section 179 limits were lower. 

After: 

Why it matters: Immediate write-offs boost cash flow, encouraging investment in equipment, factories, and modernization. 

2. R&D (Research & Experimental) Expense Deduction 

  • What: You can fully deduct domestic R&D costs upfront. 
  • Who: Tech firms, manufacturers, biotech, startups. 
  • Before: Required to amortize over five years, as per TCJA. 
  • After: Immediate expensing restored permanently starting 2025. Small firms can make the change retroactive to 2022 (Investopedia, The Verge, Stinson). 
  • Why it matters: Frees up capital for innovation and new hires. Big win for tech and manufacturing.

3. QBI Deduction (Section 199A)

What: A permanent 20% deduction on qualified business income for pass-through entities. 

Who: Sole proprietors, partnerships, S-corporations. 

Before: Set to expire end of 2025; phase-out income limits were lower. 

After: 

Why it matters: More reliable tax planning for small business owners and better benefit for mid-income filers. 

4. Business Interest Deduction (Section 163(j)) 

  • What: Looser rules for deducting interest expense on business loans. 
  • Who: All businesses with debt (loans, lines of credit). 
  • Before: Deduction capped at 30% of EBITDA. 
  • After: ATI calculation excludes depreciation and amortization indefinitely (Tax Talks, bipc.com, Stinson), restoring pre-TCJA generosity (Stinson). 
  • Why it matters: It makes financing investments or acquisitions cheaper, improving capital structure flexibility.

5. Excess Business Losses 

  • What: Caps personal business losses, but lets them carry forward as NOLs. 
  • Who: Non-corporate taxpayers with multiple businesses. 
  • Before: Loss caps were temporary. 
  • After: Made permanent; threshold indexed ($313k for 2025) (Stinson, bipc.com). 
  • Why it matters: Keeps tax-deferral benefits while limiting immediate expense writing for high-income individuals.

6. Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) 

What: Tax break on selling small-business stock. 

Who: Investors in startups and early-stage companies. 

Before: 100% gain exclusion only after 5 years; $10M cap. 

After: 

  • 50% exclusion after 3 years, 75% after 4, 100% after 5 (Stinson). 
  • Exemption cap raised to $15M and indexed post‑2027 (Stinson). 

Why it matters: Makes startup investing more attractive with shorter holding periods and higher gains. 

7. Opportunity Zones 

  • What: Tax breaks for investments in low-income areas. 
  • Who: Real estate developers, community investors. 
  • Before: Program set to expire. 
  • After: Made permanent; governors can designate new zones every 10 years starting 2026 (bipc.com). 
  • Why it matters: Keeps capital flowing into depressed areas and opens new opportunities regularly.

8. Clean Energy & Industry Credits 

What: Tax incentives for semiconductors, fossil fuels, renewables. 

Who: Energy producers, manufacturers, data-center developers. 

Before: IRA provided clean energy credits; semiconductor credit was 25%. 

After: 

  • Semiconductor credit boosted to 35% (Investopedia, The Verge). 
  • Many IRA credits phased out from 2026; fossil fuel and metallurgical coal credits added (Wikipedia). 

Why it matters: Strong incentive to build factories, data centers, and semiconductor fabs, but clean energy loses traction, and timing matters. 

9. International Tax (GILTI → NCTI & FDII) 

What: Foreign income tax rules rebranded and adjusted. 

Who: Multinational corporations, U.S. shareholders of foreign companies. 

Before: GILTI & FDII rules are liable. 

After: 

  • GILTI renamed “Net CFC Tested Income” (NCTI) (Tax Talks, Politico). 
  • FDII becomes FDDEI, rate reduced slightly (Tax Talks). 

Why it matters: A Significant shift in multinational tax teams must revise global structuring and compliance systems. 

10. Fringe Benefits & Employer Incentives 

What: Changes to non-wage worker perks. 

Who: Employers offering family or health benefits. 

Before: Some credits and benefits were temporary or limited. 

After: 

Why it matters: Employers can offer richer benefit packages, boosting retention and morale. 

11. 1099 Reporting Changes

What: Threshold changes for reporting contractor income. 

Who: Businesses issuing 1099s, gig platforms. 

Before: 1099‑NEC/MISC at $600; 1099‑K at $600. 

After: 

  • NEC/MISC threshold rises to $2,000 (indexed). 
  • K reverts to $20K/200 transactions (RSM US). 

Why it matters: Less admin burden for businesses and fewer forms filed—esp. gig platforms. 

Business Provisions Summary

Change Who Before After Why It Matters 
Bonus Depreciation & Section 179Equipment & facility buyers Phasing out 100% write-off, higher limitsFrees up cash for expansion
R&D DeductionTech, biotech, manufacturingAmortized Full expensing retroactive & permanentFunds innovation now
QBI Deduction Pass-through ownersTemporary, lower thresholds Permanent, higher thresholds, min floor Tax consistency, broader benefit
Interest Deductibility Businesses with loans 30% EBITDA cap Excludes depreciation/amortizationBetter financing options
Excess Business Losses Non-corporates Temporary cap Permanent, carried as NOLSmoother loss treatment 
QSBS Gains Startup investors Only 5‑year 100%3‑5 year phased exclusions, higher cap Encourages entrepreneurship 
Opportunity Zones Community investorsExpiring Permanent, rolling zones Sustains impact investing 
Energy & Industry Credits Manufacturers, semicon, energy IRA credits, 25% semicon 35% semicon, fossil incentives, clean slump Shapes investment direction
Global Tax Rules Multinationals GILTI/FDII NCTI/FDDEIMajor compliance overhaul 
Fringe Benefits Employers Temporary capsStudent-loan, telehealth, DC improved Better employee perks 
1099 Reporting Gig platforms $600 threshold $2k NEC, $20k/200 K Less compliance hassle 


Why This Matters for CPAs and Accounting Professionals 

According to a 2024 survey by the AICPA, over 78% of CPAs believe legislation like the OBBB will create “significant workflow disruption” if they don’t update their compliance frameworks. Yet only 26% of firms have taken steps to upskill their teams. 

This is where education plays a crucial role, and MYCPE ONE is here to help you lead the way. 

Real Impact: What Happens If You Ignore the OBBB? 

  • Missed deductions for clients could lead to compliance risks and penalties. 
  • Inaccurate payroll processing could trigger audits or tax notices. 
  • Poor advisory around QBI or SALT planning could damage your firm’s credibility. 
  • Losing clients to more informed firms becomes a real threat.

A proactive stance helps you retain trust, minimize exposure, and position your firm as a forward-thinking advisor. 

Key Takeaway

The OBBB isn’t just another bill. It’s a fundamental shift in how CPAs must approach planning, compliance, and strategy. 

If you’re not upskilling in 2025, you’re falling behind. 

Final Thoughts

The smartest firms will treat OBBB not as a challenge but an opportunity. With proper education and updated workflows, you can guide clients confidently through regulatory complexity, and set your firm apart. 

Whether you're handling payroll, entity structuring, or tax advisory, the OBBB courses from MYCPE ONE ensure you're not just informed, you’re indispensable 

FAQs

It stands for the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a U.S. legislative reform package covering tax, payroll, and business regulations. 

Most provisions roll out in phases starting Q2 of 2025. CPAs should prepare now. 

Yes. Especially for clients with QBI deductions, SALT liabilities, or estate planning needs. 

While not legally required in all cases, CPE is strongly recommended to ensure accurate compliance and protect client trust. 

MYCPE ONE offers accredited courses led by experienced tax professionals. Explore here.

Jason Dinesen

Jason Dinesen

President, Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C.

Jason (LPA, EA) is a seasoned tax expert, entrepreneur, and educator with over 18 years of experience in accounting, tax preparation, and business advisory. As the founder of Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C., he helps professionals understand complex tax concepts. A leading CPE presenter at MYCPE ONE, Jason has trained more than 200,000 professionals on tax updates, ethics, and IRS guidance. Known for his sharp insights and relatable teaching style, he helps CPAs, EAs, and finance professionals stay up to date and confidently navigate evolving tax laws.

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