Tax Planning
Tax Planning Strategies Under the One Big Beautiful Bill for U.S. Businesses
The U.S. tax landscape shifted dramatically with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill—businesses can take advantage of new deductions, reporting thresholds, and compliance relief.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • April 26, 2026
## What’s Changed for Businesses
With the One Big Beautiful Bill now law, several changes affect U.S. businesses immediately:
- **Full first-year expensing** for qualifying business property bought after Jan 19, 2025. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions?utm_source=openai))
- New information reporting requirements and thresholds tied to payments made through third-party platforms. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions?utm_source=openai))
- Changes to backup withholding thresholds for third-party settlement organizations. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-05_IRB?utm_source=openai))
## Key Tax Planning Moves
1. **Accelerate qualifying purchases.** If you plan to buy equipment or property that qualifies for first-year expensing under § 168(k), purchase and place it into service as soon as possible. Waiting could force you to spread deductions over years. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions?utm_source=openai))
2. **Review platforms’ threshold filings.** If you receive payments via apps, marketplaces, or payment networks, know that threshold for Form 1099-K applies only if **both** the total payments exceed **$20,000** and there are **more than 200** transactions. Lower volumes won’t trigger 1099-K under the new rules. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-business-tax-provisions-youtube-video-text-script?utm_source=openai))
3. **Track transactions carefully.** For third-party platform payments, it’s now essential to monitor not just how much you earn, but how many transactions you have annually—those two jointly matter for reporting. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions?utm_source=openai))
4. **Use domestic research expenditures.** Domestic R&D or experimental costs are now either deductible immediately or amortizable over a shorter period. Foreign research still must be amortized over 15 years. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions?utm_source=openai))
## Compliance & Risk Management
- **Ensure depreciation schedules align** with the new bonus depreciation rules; auditors will expect documentation showing property purchase and use dates.
- **Update accounting systems** to flag payees who cross the 1099-K thresholds in both volume and transaction count.
- **Stay ahead of proposed regulations** currently under public comment, especially backup withholding and passenger-vehicle interest rules. Submit comments when possible. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-05_IRB?utm_source=openai))
## Example Scenario
Sarah runs a small online retail business and sells via an online marketplace. Last year she made $22,000 in gross sales, but via 150 transactions. Even though she crossed the dollar threshold, she didn’t cross the transaction count (needs >200), so **no 1099-K** under the new law. But this year she expects more buyers, so she should track transaction number all year and be ready. Also, Sarah wants to buy new machines (qualifying business property) for her storefront—under the law she can expense 100% immediately if placed in service after Jan 19, 2025.
**Takeaway:** Businesses should combine smart timing of purchases with organized tracking of transactions and incomes to optimize deductions and minimize unexpected reporting burdens.