5 Smart Advisory Moves Business Owners Should Make This OBBBA Tax Season
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has officially added new layers of complexity to the 2026 tax season.
More reporting requirements.
New deductions.
Modified eligibility rules.
Expanded compliance expectations.
For business owners, this does not just mean filing differently. It means thinking differently.
While tax law changes can feel overwhelming, they also create planning opportunities. The key is not waiting until year-end to react. The most strategic businesses are reviewing their structure, deductions, and compliance approach now.
Here are five advisory-focused moves every business owner should consider this OBBBA tax season.
1. Turn Routine Tax Conversations Into Planning Conversations
If you are already meeting with your CPA for quarterly reviews, payroll check-ins, or compliance updates, those conversations should now include OBBBA strategy.
Important questions to discuss:
Will new deduction rules affect overtime compensation planning?
Has tip income reporting changed for your business?
Are you exposed to new multi-state filing requirements?
Should your entity structure be revisited?
OBBBA impacts different industries differently. A quick compliance check is no longer enough. Strategic questions can uncover savings opportunities before deadlines pass.
2. Review Your Data More Intentionally
New tax law changes mean your financial data matters more than ever.
This includes:
Revenue trends
Payroll breakdowns (including overtime or tips)
Equipment purchases
Multi-state income exposure
Shifts in taxable income brackets
The goal is not just recordkeeping. It is identifying where law changes intersect with your numbers.
When reviewed strategically, your financial data can reveal:
Missed deductions
Timing strategies for purchases
Income deferral opportunities
Cash flow optimization decisions
OBBBA increases complexity, but it also increases the value of proactive analysis.
3. Schedule a Mid-Year Strategy Session
If you wait until December, you limit your options.
OBBBA introduces new planning windows, and some opportunities require action before year-end. A mid-year strategy session allows you to:
Adjust estimated tax payments
Revisit entity elections
Evaluate compensation strategies
Plan capital purchases more strategically
Prepare for new reporting requirements
Position your CPA relationship as ongoing advisory support, not once-a-year filing.
4. Understand How OBBBA Affects Your Specific Business Type
Not every business is impacted equally.
You may be at higher impact if you are:
A pass-through entity relying on QBI deductions
A service business with tip income
A company with frequent equipment or vehicle purchases
A business operating across multiple states
A higher-income taxpayer affected by deduction limitations
Your planning strategy should reflect your exposure level.
Some businesses will need deeper structural adjustments. Others may simply need better documentation and monitoring. The key is knowing which category you fall into.
5. Move From Compliance Mindset to Advisory Mindset
OBBBA is a clear signal that tax complexity is increasing, not decreasing.
The businesses that benefit most are those who:
Plan throughout the year
Make data-driven decisions
Understand how legislation impacts operations
Partner with advisors who think strategically
Tax law changes are not just about filing differently. They are about structuring your decisions differently.
When handled correctly, complexity can create opportunity.
Making OBBBA Work for You
The 2026 tax season is not just more complicated. It is more strategic.
With the right guidance, business owners can:
Minimize unexpected liabilities
Improve cash flow management
Avoid compliance penalties
Identify new planning opportunities
Strengthen long-term tax positioning
At The Virtual CPAs, we believe tax planning should never feel reactive. OBBBA is not something to fear. It is something to understand and plan around.
If you would like to review how these changes affect your business specifically, schedule a strategy session with our team.
Proactive planning today prevents expensive surprises tomorrow.