Business Tax Planning 2025

November 4, 2025

by Kristina Drzal Houghton, CPA, MST

The end of the year is often an optimal time for tax planning for both individuals and small business owners. Traditionally, the conventional tax wisdom is to accelerate tax deductions into the current year and defer taxable income until the next year. However, new tax legislation enacted in 2025 significantly complicates matters.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—signed on the Fourth of July—is a follow-up to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted during President Trump’s first term. Many of the provisions included in the TCJA, particularly those affecting individuals and families, went into effect in 2018 and were scheduled to expire after 2025. The OBBBA extends most of those tax provisions, with certain modifications, and often makes them a permanent part of the tax code.

In addition, the new law creates brand-new tax-saving opportunities, while also posing potential tax pitfalls for the unwary. In some cases, the OBBBA provisions are effective in 2025, but others do not kick in until 2026 or a later date.

Business Tax Planning:

Depreciation-Based Deductions

A business may benefit from one of two depreciation-related tax breaks, or both, for qualified property placed in service. The OBBBA enhances those tax breaks, beginning in 2025.

Ensure that qualified property is placed in service before the end of the year. Otherwise, your business does not qualify for either tax break on its 2025 return.

Section 179 deduction: Section 179 allows a business to currently deduct the cost of qualified property up to an annual limit, subject to a phase-out. The OBBBA permanently hikes the limit to $2.5 million and the phase-out threshold to $4 million in 2025, with future indexing.
First-year bonus depreciation: The TCJA authorized 100% first-year bonus depreciation subject to a phase-out over a five-year period. The applicable percentage for 2025 was scheduled to be only 40%, but the OBBBA permanently restores the 100% deduction, retroactive to January 20, 2025.

Regular depreciation deductions may be elected. As always. special rules may apply, such as a separate set of limits on vehicles.

Research & Experimental Expenses

Previously, the tax law permitted a company to fully deduct domestic R&E expenses in the year in which they were incurred. But the TCJA required costs incurred after 2021 to be capitalized and amortized over 60 months.

Now the new law reinstates the prior rules, retroactive to January 1, 2025. (Alternatively, a business can still elect to amortize the expenses over 60 months.) Due to special transitional rules for expenses incurred in 2022 through 2024, it may be beneficial to file amended returns for these years. Note: The amortization period for foreign R&E expenses remains at 15 years.

Miscellaneous

Stock up on routine supplies (especially if you expect prices to rise soon). If you buy the supplies in 2025, they are deductible this year even if they are not used until 2026.

The OBBBA imposes a 1% “floor” on deductions for charitable donations by C corporations, beginning in 2026. A corporation may increase its donations late in 2025 to avoid the upcoming floor on deductions.

Owners of pass-through business entities like S corporations and partnerships may adopt SALT “workarounds” to qualify for state deductions or credits. The entities make the payments and then tax benefits are passed through to individuals on their personal tax returns.

Maximize the qualified business income (QBI) deduction of up to 20% for pass-through entities and self-employed individuals. Note that special rules apply if you are in a “specified service trade or business” (SSTB). The OBBBA extends this tax break and makes it permanent.

This year-end tax-planning article is based on the prevailing federal tax laws, rules and regulations. Of course, it is subject to change, especially if additional tax legislation is enacted by Congress before the end of the year.

Finally, remember that this article is intended to serve only as a general guideline. Your personal or business circumstances will likely require careful examination. You should schedule a meeting with your adviser to assist with all your tax-planning needs.

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This material is generic in nature. Before relying on the material in any important matter, users should note date of publication and carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness, and relevance for their purposes, and should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

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