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Are you getting the full §199A deduction?

Section 199A lets pass-through business owners deduct up to 20% of qualified business income. But it phases out above certain income levels, disappears entirely for some service businesses, and for S-corp owners the W-2 salary directly determines how much you can claim. See exactly where you stand.

2026 estimates · Not tax advice

$175,000
$20k$600k

For S-corps: total business net income before your salary. For sole props: Schedule C net profit.

Threshold: $406,100 — income above this starts limiting the deduction.

Engineering, real estate, tech, product, trades, e-commerce — the W-2 wage limitation applies above the threshold, but there's no full phase-out.

$85,000
$20k$175,000

Higher salary → lower QBI (less deduction base) but higher W-2 wages → higher W-2 limit. See sensitivity table below when above threshold.

§199A QBI Deduction

$18,000

Tax savings at 22% marginal rate: $3,960

Full deduction

Calculation detail

Qualified business income (QBI)$90,000
20% of QBI (base deduction)$18,000
W-2 wage limit (50% of salary)$42,500
Est. taxable income$143,500
Deduction allowed$18,000
Federal tax savings$3,960

Full deduction available. Your taxable income ($143,500) is below the $406,100 threshold — no limitations apply. You get the full 20% of QBI.

2026 estimates. QBI thresholds estimated from IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-61 with ~3% inflation adjustment. Taxable income estimated using standard deduction only — actual taxable income varies by itemized deductions, other income, and additional deductions not shown. SSTB includes health, law, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services, and brokerage. Sole prop calculation uses ~7.065% SE tax deduction. W-2 limitation uses 50% of wages only — qualified property (2.5%) not included, relevant primarily for capital-intensive businesses. Does not model net capital gains exclusion from taxable income cap. Not tax advice.

Work with Matt

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Matt Reese, CPA optimizes the §199A deduction alongside S-corp salary, retirement contributions, and entity structure — decisions that interact in ways the return doesn't show you.

Tax services provided through Matt Reese, CPA. This page is educational and does not constitute tax or investment advice.