Mastering 2025's Major Tax Overhauls for Individuals and Enterprises

As the tax season looms closer, individuals and businesses nationwide are striving to familiarize themselves with the sweeping tax modifications set for 2025. Central to these alterations is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), an overarching tax reform that introduces comprehensive changes significantly impacting tax filings for most, whether you’re an employee, a family, or a small business owner. The OBBBA seeks to optimize tax preparation by revising child tax credits and altering deduction guidelines, with the aim of making the tax process more advantageous for everyday Americans. This article will delve into the OBBBA's key provisions and other significant updates to help you navigate these reforms effectively, ensuring you're well-equipped for the tax season. Whether the goal is to maximize deductions or to file accurately and timely, knowledge and preparation will be your best tools for collaborating with tax professionals this approaching tax season.

Image 3

Prior to exploring the numerous modifications impacting 2025, it is essential to comprehend Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which plays a critical role in many of the new tax provisions. AGI represents a taxpayer’s total yearly income post specific deductions like retirement contributions or student loan interest, acting as a base for determining taxable income and eligibility for various credits and deductions. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) expands on AGI by re-adding certain deductions like foreign income or tax-exempt interest based on particular tax provisions. MAGI is essential for evaluating eligibility for income-limited benefits or credits, making it broader than AGI. A phase-out occurs when a tax benefit gradually decreases as income surpasses a specific threshold, completely disappearing beyond a higher income level. This ensures benefits are focused on families or individuals under a certain income bracket.

Here are key changes starting 2025, with some being permanent and others temporary:

Senior Deduction

From 2025 through 2028, seniors 65 or older can claim a $6,000 deduction, phasing out for singles over $75,000 MAGI and for couples over $150,000. Both itemizers and standard deduction filers qualify.

No Tax on Tips

Between 2025 and 2028, deductions of up to $25,000 annually for eligible cash tips in customary tip-receiving jobs are available, excluding specific service trades. The IRS outlines qualifying occupations in IR-2025-92. Phases out beyond $150,000 AGI for singles and $300,000 for joint filers. Employers will detail qualifying tips on W-2 forms, and during the 2025 transition year, separate statements may be used.

No Tax on Qualified Overtime

Allowing deductions up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for married filing jointly) for overtime pay exceeding regular rates from 2025 through 2028, phasing out at $150,000 MAGI for singles and $300,000 for couples. This applies to both itemizers and non-itemizers.

Image 1

Vehicle Loan Interest Deduction

Between 2025 and 2028, individuals may deduct up to $10,000 annually on loans for new personal-use cars made in the U.S. Excludes family loans; phases out between $100,000-$150,000 (single) and $200,000-$250,000 (MFJ). Accessible to both itemizers and non-itemizers.

Adoption Credit

Added a refundable component; $17,280 with a $5,000 refundable for 2025, increasing to $17,670 and $5,120 for 2026, phasing out between $259,190 and $299,190.

Child Tax Credit

Increased to $2,200 with $1,700 refundable for dependents under 17 from 2025 to 2028. Phases out above $400,000 MAGI for joint filers and $200,000 for others.

Environmental Tax Credits

OBBBA ends major environmental credits early. Credits for electric vehicles end after September 30, 2025.

Image 2

SALT Deduction Limit

For 2025, SALT deduction caps raise to $40,000, downscaling from $500,000 MAGI, bottoming out at $10,000. Comes with a gradual increase through 2029.

Retirement Plan Catch-Up Contributions

Starting in 2025, contributions for individuals aged 60-63 see significant increases, more than $10,000, or 50% over standard catch-up limits.

Understanding and adapting to these detailed tax changes could notably shift the financial trajectory for both individuals and businesses. At our practice, we’re committed to guiding clients through these complexities, ensuring compliance with new regulations while optimizing financial outcomes. Together, we’ll develop a robust tax strategy, enabling you to focus on achieving financial goals amidst a shifting tax landscape.

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
Let us take your tax and small business needs off your hands today.