How will the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act affect individual taxpayers?

How will the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act affect individual taxpayers?

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes, among many other things, numerous provisions that can affect an individual’s taxes. The new law makes some changes to existing tax breaks that will be significant to many, but not all, taxpayers. It also creates new breaks that, again, will be significant to certain taxpayers. Finally, it makes permanent the tax rate reductions and most of the changes to deductions and credits made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), with occasional tweaks.

What the new tax law could mean for you

What the new tax law could mean for you

As 2025 began, individual taxpayers faced uncertainty with several key provisions of the tax law that were set to expire at the end of the year. That changed on July 4, when President Trump signed the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. The OBBBA not only makes many TCJA provisions permanent but also introduces several new benefits — although some other tax breaks have been removed. Below is a summary of eight areas with changes that may impact you and your family.

Safe harbor 401(k)s offer businesses a simpler route to a retirement plan

Safe harbor 401(k)s offer businesses a simpler route to a retirement plan

When many small to midsize businesses are ready to sponsor a qualified retirement plan, they encounter a common obstacle: complex administrative requirements. As a business owner, you no doubt already have a lot on your plate. Do you really want to deal with, say, IRS-mandated testing that could cause considerable hassles and expense?

Is college financial aid taxable? A crash course for families

Is college financial aid taxable? A crash course for families

College can be expensive. According to the College Board, the average sticker price for tuition and fees at private colleges was $43,350 for the 2024–2025 school year. The average cost for tuition and fees for out-of-state students at public colleges was $30,780. For in-state students, the cost was $11,610. Of course, there are additional costs for housing, food, books, supplies, transportation and incidentals that can add thousands to the total.

Understanding spousal IRAs: A smart retirement strategy for couples

Understanding spousal IRAs: A smart retirement strategy for couples

Retirement planning is essential for all families, but it can be especially critical for couples where one spouse earns little to no income. In such cases, a spousal IRA can be an effective and often overlooked tool to help build retirement savings for both partners — even if only one spouse is employed. It’s worth taking a closer look at how these accounts work and what the contribution limits are.