The new QBI deduction, created by the 2017 tax reform law, allows many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, or estates to deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income. Eligible taxpayers can also deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends and publicly traded partnership income.
The QBI deduction is available in tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, meaning eligible taxpayers will be able to claim it for the first time on their 2018 Form 1040.
The guidance, released today, includes:
- A set of regulations, finalizing proposed regulations issued last summer, A new set of proposed regulations providing guidance on several aspects of the QBI deduction, including qualified REIT dividends received by regulated investment companies.
- A revenue procedure providing guidance on determining W-2 wages for QBI deduction purposes,
- A notice on a proposed revenue
procedure providing a safe harbor for certain real estate enterprises that may
be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the QBI deduction
The proposed revenue procedure, included in
Notice 2019-07, allows individuals and entities who own rental real estate
directly or through a disregarded entity to treat a rental real estate
enterprise as a trade or business for purposes of the QBI deduction if certain
requirements are met. Taxpayers can rely on this safe harbor until a final
revenue procedure is issued.
The QBI deduction is generally available to eligible taxpayers
with 2018 taxable income at or below $315,000 for joint returns and $157,500
for other filers. Those with incomes above these levels, are still eligible for
the deduction but are subject to limitations, such as the type of trade or
business, the amount of W-2 wages paid in the trade or business and the
unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition of qualified property. These
limitations are fully described in the final regulations.
The QBI deduction is not available for wage income or for business
income earned by a C corporation.
As with many IRS provisions, although the basics look clear, the
devil is in the details. Be sure to keep in touch with us to see how these
rules and guidance apply to your situation.
