QBI Deduction 2026: How to Maximize the Now-Permanent 20%
If you run a profitable pass-through business and earn $300,000 in qualified business income, the 20% QBI deduction puts $60,000 off your taxable income. At a 37% marginal rate, that's roughly $22,200 in federal tax savings — every single year. And starting in 2026, that benefit is no longer scheduled to disappear.The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, permanently extended the Section 199A deduction. What was set to sunset at the end of 2025 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is now a permanent part of the tax code. That changes the planning calculus for every self-employed owner, S-corp shareholder, and LLC operator.But "permanent" doesn't mean automatic. The rules governing income thresholds, W-2 wage limitations, and entity structure choices still determine whether you capture the full 20% or walk away with a fraction of it. This guide breaks down exactly how to maximize your QBI deduction in 2026 — with step-by-step math and strategy.
