Part 23: Succession Planning Intro

The pandemic-era flexibility is gone, and the One Big Beautiful Bill has locked in the TCJA’s NOL rules for the foreseeable future. If your business is still planning around old assumptions — like the ability to carry losses back or fully offset taxable income — it’s time for a reset. Here’s what you need to know heading into 2025 and beyond.

If you are a limited partner in a Texas-based business, a January 2026 federal court ruling just changed the rules in your favor — and the savings could be significant. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected the IRS’s long-standing “passive investor” test and ruled that any partner in a limited partnership with genuine limited liability qualifies for the self-employment tax exemption under IRC Section 1402(a)(13) — even if you actively work in the business. With self-employment tax running as high as 15.3%, the financial impact of this ruling can be substantial. But the law is still unsettled outside Texas, and the details matter. Read on to find out what this means for your tax strategy and what steps you should be taking right now.

Aprio Insights on the Tax Alert: ERC Claims in Limbo: Know Your Rights and Timeline to Take Legal Action. Read the article.

Aprio Insights on the Opportunity Zones Are Given New Life – A Tax Advisor’s Thoughts. Read the article.

Learn more about cost segregation studies and found out if performing one is a smart next step for your real estate portfolio.

Most business owners think about succession planning far too late. A Family Limited Partnership, when established early and managed with discipline, gives founders something rare: the ability to transfer economic value to the next generation gradually, deliberately, and on their own terms — without giving up operational control in the process. It is one of the most effective wealth transfer and succession planning tools available. It is also one of the most scrutinized by the IRS. Before you build one, make sure you understand what it takes to make it last.

Congress just handed manufacturers one of the most significant tax incentives in decades. Under the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act, qualifying businesses can now deduct 100% of the cost of a new production building in the very first year it is placed in service — instead of spreading that deduction over 39 years. For a business investing $5 million, $10 million, or more in a new or expanded facility, that difference could be transformational. But the rules are strict, the election is irrevocable, and the clock is already ticking. Read on to find out if your facility qualifies and what you need to do before you file.

The revised instructions address changes to the treatment of §174A domestic research expenditures and align with prior IRS guidance and clarifications on reporting requirements.

Two decades ago, 21 states had top income tax rates between 5 and 7 percent. Today, only 12 do. Meanwhile, 26 states now have rates below 5 percent or no income tax at all, while six states have climbed to double-digit rates. With more low-tax alternatives than ever before, businesses and high-net-worth individuals in high-tax states need to consider their options now—before policy changes catch them off guard.

The 2026 tax filing season brings several significant changes that could affect your refund timeline and filing approach. Between IRS staffing reductions, new postal service postmark rules, and a transition to electronic payments, taxpayers who wait until April to file or who rely on paper submissions may face unexpected delays and penalties. The good news? With a few proactive steps—filing electronically, mailing early, and setting up direct deposit—you can avoid these pitfalls and ensure a smooth filing experience.