obbb - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

No Tax on Car Loan Interest Under the New Law? Not Exactly

Under current federal income tax rules, so-called personal interest expense generally can’t be deducted. One big exception is qualified residence interest or home mortgage interest, which can be deducted, subject to some limitations, if you itemize deductions on your tax return.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) adds another exception for eligible car loan interest. In tax law language, the new deduction is called qualified passenger vehicle loan interest. Are you eligible? Here are the rules.

“No tax” isn’t an accurate description

If you could deduct all your car loan interest, you’d be paying it with pre-tax dollars rather than with post-tax dollars — meaning after you paid your federal income tax bill. The new deduction has been called “no tax on car loan interest,” but that’s not really accurate. Here’s a more precise explanation.

The OBBBA allows eligible individuals — including those who don’t itemize — a temporary new deduction for some or all of the interest paid on some loans. The loans must be taken out to purchase a qualifying passenger vehicle.

Specifically, for 2025 through 2028, up to $10,000 of car loan interest can potentially be deducted each year. The loan must […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-08-18T18:19:32+00:00August 18th, 2025|New Tax Laws|0 Comments

The New Law Includes a Game-Changer for Business Payment Reporting

The One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) contains a major overhaul to an outdated IRS requirement. Beginning with payments made in 2026, the new law raises the threshold for information reporting on certain business payments from $600 to $2,000. Beginning in 2027, the threshold amount will be adjusted for inflation.

The current requirement: $600 threshold

For decades, the IRS has required that businesses file Form 1099-NEC (previously 1099-MISC) for payments made to independent contractors that exceed $600 in a calendar year. This threshold amount has remained unchanged since the 1950s!

The same $600 threshold is in place for Forms 1099-MISC, which businesses file for several types of payments, including prizes, rents and payments to attorneys.

Certain deadlines must be met. A Form 1099-NEC must be filed with the IRS by January 31 of the year following the year in which a payment was made. A copy must be sent to the recipient by the same January 31 deadline.

A Form 1099-MISC must also be provided to a recipient by January 31 of the year following a payment, but unlike Form 1099-NEC, the 1099-MISC deadline for the IRS depends on how it’s submitted. If a business is filing […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-08-13T13:35:02+00:00August 13th, 2025|1099, business, New Tax Laws, News|0 Comments

Act soon: The OBBBA Ends Clean Energy Tax Breaks

The newly enacted One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) represents a major move by President Trump and congressional Republicans to roll back a number of clean energy tax incentives originally introduced or expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Below is a summary of the key individual tax credits that will soon be scaled back or eliminated.

Clean vehicle tax credits

If you’re planning to buy a clean vehicle, consider acting soon to take advantage of expiring tax benefits:

New clean vehicle credit. This credit offers up to $7,500 for qualifying new electric and fuel cell vehicles, depending on how the battery components and critical minerals are sourced. Vehicles that meet only one of the sourcing criteria may be eligible for a reduced $3,750 credit. Originally set to expire in 2032, this credit now ends on September 30, 2025.

The maximum manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $55,000 for cars and $80,000 for SUVs, trucks and vans. To qualify, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must not exceed $150,000 ($300,000 for married couples filing jointly and $225,000 for heads of households).

Used clean vehicle credit. Buyers of eligible used EVs or fuel cell vehicles may claim up to […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-08-13T12:44:20+00:00August 13th, 2025|credit, energy, EV, New Tax Laws, News|0 Comments

A Closer Look: The QBI Deduction and What’s New in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act

The qualified business income (QBI) deduction, which became effective in 2018, is a significant tax benefit for many business owners. It allows eligible taxpayers to deduct up to 20% of QBI, not to exceed 20% of taxable income. It can also be claimed for up to 20% of income from qualified real estate investment trust dividends.

With recent changes under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), this powerful deduction is becoming more accessible and beneficial. Most important, the OBBBA makes the QBI deduction permanent. It had been scheduled to end on December 31, 2025.

A closer look

QBI is generally defined as the net amount of qualified income, gain, deduction and loss from a qualified U.S. trade or business. Taxpayers eligible for the deduction include sole proprietors and owners of pass-through entities, such as partnerships, S corporations and limited liability companies that are treated as sole proprietorships, partnerships or S corporations for tax purposes. C corporations aren’t eligible.

Additional limits on the deduction gradually phase in if 2025 taxable income exceeds the applicable threshold — $197,300 or $394,600 for married couples filing joint tax returns. The limits fully apply when 2025 taxable income exceeds $247,300 […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-08-05T14:15:17+00:00August 5th, 2025|business, deduction, deductions, New Tax Laws, News|0 Comments

The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for You (and Your Business)

Congress just gift-wrapped a 1,000-plus-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (yes, that’s the real name) and sent it to President Trump for signature on July 4th (because nothing says “patriotic” like a 900-plus-page tax law.). Fireworks ensued, literally and legislatively. Below is the quick-and-casual download on the provisions our clients are most likely to feel—whether you’re filing as an individual, running a business, or both.

Key Changes for Individuals

Bigger, permanent standard deduction and TCJA-era brackets – Beginning in 2026, the deduction rises to $15,750 (single) and $31,500 (joint) while today’s lower rates stick around. Most filers will see more income sheltered from tax without having to itemize.
SALT cap balloons to $40,000 for 2025-2029 – High-tax-state residents can deduct up to four times more in property and state income taxes for five years. Plan to prepay or “bunch” taxes during this window to maximize savings before the cap snaps back.
New $6,000 “senior deduction” (ages 65+) – Available 2025-2028 on top of the standard deduction. Retirees may owe less federal tax even if their income stays level.
Child Tax Credit increases to $2,200 and is indexed for inflation – With the refundable portion […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-07-15T19:02:52+00:00July 14th, 2025|new tax, News, tcja|0 Comments