NEW TAX LAW CHANGES FOR 2026 TAX RETURNS AND THEREAFTER
cpa1dev
on
December 4, 2025
As the TCJA changes were set to expire at the beginning of 2026, the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill makes many of these once-temporary changes permanent. Much of what takes effect beginning in 2026 is, a permanent continuation of the TCJA of 2017.
While there are a handful of changes that are retroactive to 2025, most of the changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill take effect on January 1, 2026. Some are permanent, while others last a few years. In addition to the tax-year 2025 retroactive changes, 2026 and thereafter tax changes include many changes, including:
AMT
Makes the increase in the alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption permanent; reverts AMT exemption phaseout thresholds to 2018 levels of $500,000 for single filers and $1 million for joint returns, indexed for inflation thereafter; increases the phaseout rate.
Increase of Estate Tax Exemption
Permanently increases the estate and lifetime gift tax exemption to an inflation-indexed $15 million for single filers, and $30 million for joint filers, beginning in 2026.
Above the Line Charitable Contributions
Creates a permanent $1,000 above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions ($2,000 for joint filers).
Limits on the Value of Itemized Deductions
Limits the value of itemized deductions to 35 cents on the dollar for taxpayers in the top tax bracket. 0.5 percent floor on charitable contributions in order to take them as an itemized deduction.
- Elimination of Personal and Dependent Exemptions
- Increased Standard Deductions
- Increased Standard Deductions
- Current Tax Brackets
- Increased Child Tax Credit
- $750,000 Deductible Personal Mortgage Limit
- Limitation on Personal Casualty Losses, Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions, and Moving Expense Deduction for Most Taxpayers
- Increased AMT Exemption
- Deduction for Qualified Business Income (QBI) at 20%
New Tax Law Changes For 2025 Tax Returns Part 1
cpa1dev
on
October 30, 2025
Most of the changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill take effect on January 1, 2026, but some are retroactive and could impact 2025 tax returns. Many of the changes have certain requirements, such as adjusted gross income limits, and some are temporary. Changes that might affect most 2025 tax returns include:
– Additional Senior Deduction
Temporarily adds a senior deduction of $6,000 for each qualifying individual for both itemizers and non-itemizers, which phases out When the modified adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000, it is available from 2025 through 2028.
– Increased State and Local Tax (SALT) Itemized Deduction
Temporarily increases the cap on the itemized deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) to $40,000 for 2025, and increases the cap by one percent each year from that level through 2029, subject to a phaseout for taxpayers with incomes above $500,000, then reduces the cap to a flat $10,000 thereafter.
– Increase in the Standard Deduction
Makes the standard deduction increase permanent with an enhancement, starting in 2025 at $31,500 for joint filers, $23,625 for head of household, and $15,750 for all other filers, inflation-adjusted thereafter.
-No Tax on Tips
Temporarily makes up to $25,000 of tip income deductible for individuals in traditionally and customarily tipped industries for tax years 2025 through 2028; deduction phases out at a 10 percent rate when adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers).
-No Tax on Overtime
Temporarily makes up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) of the premium portion of overtime compensation deductible for itemizers and non-itemizers for tax years 2025 through 2028. The deduction phases out at a 10 percent rate when adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers).
-Deduction for Interest Payments on Certain Vehicles
Temporarily makes auto loan interest deductible for itemizers and non-itemizers for new autos with final assembly in the United States for tax years 2025 through 2028; deduction limited to $10,000, and phases out a a 20 percent rate when income exceeds $100,000 for single filers and $200,000 for joint filers.
More good news to come! Al Minor, COO, L. Lopez CPA and Associates


