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The QBI Deduction: 20% of Your Business Income, Tax-Free

The Qualified Business Income deduction lets most self-employed people deduct 20% of their business profit before income tax. Here's who qualifies and what changed in 2025.

📅 May 6, 20261 min read

What Is the QBI Deduction?

The QBI deduction allows eligible self-employed individuals to deduct **20% of their qualified business income** from federal income taxes.

Originally set to expire in 2025, the **One Big Beautiful Act signed July 4, 2025** made it permanent.

**Example:** Business earns $60,000 net profit → deduct $12,000 → in 22% bracket → **$2,640 you don't pay**.

Who Qualifies

  • Sole proprietorships (Schedule C)
  • Single-member LLCs (taxed as sole proprietor)
  • S-Corps (pass-through portion)
  • Partnerships
  • Most solo founders, freelancers, and creators qualify — software developers, designers, writers, coaches, consultants, creators.

    Income Thresholds for 2025

    For **Specified Service Trade or Business (SSTB)** owners (law, health, consulting, financial services, performing arts), the deduction phases out at:

  • **$197,300** for single filers
  • **$394,600** for married filing jointly
  • Below the threshold = full deduction. Above = phases out.

    For non-SSTB businesses (most tech founders, product creators, e-commerce) — no industry-based phase-out applies for most small businesses.

    What Doesn't Qualify

  • W-2 employee wages
  • Capital gains and dividends
  • Your S-Corp reasonable salary (the distribution portion qualifies)
  • How to Claim It

    File **Form 8995** (or 8995-A for complex situations) with your tax return. Most tax software handles this automatically.

    The Bottom Line

    The QBI deduction is the most underutilized tax break for self-employed people. If you're earning business income and not claiming it, you're overpaying the IRS. It's permanent now. Learn it, claim it, keep more of what you earn.

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