QBI Section 199A 2027 Permanent Deduction Calculator
Estimate your 20% Qualified Business Income deduction under the now-permanent OBBB Section 199A rules.
Why Section 199A Is Now Permanent
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction was made PERMANENT effective 2025 — eliminating the original TCJA sunset at end of 2025. For 2027, pass-through owners (sole props, S corps, partnerships, certain trusts) get the full 20% deduction on qualified business income. Source: IRC §199A as amended by OBBB. Last updated: May 2026.
2027 Income Thresholds and Phaseouts
For 2027, the lower threshold (below which the full 20% applies without W-2 or property limits) is approximately $241,950 single / $483,900 MFJ. Above that, Specified Service Trade or Business (SSTB) owners face a phaseout over $75,000 ($50K MFJ), while non-SSTB owners face W-2 wages and UBIA property limits.
What Counts as Qualified Business Income
QBI = net income from a U.S. trade or business, EXCLUDING: capital gains, dividends, interest, wages paid to yourself (S corp owner), reasonable compensation, and guaranteed payments. Rental real estate qualifies only if it meets the §199A safe harbor (250+ hours/year) or rises to a trade or business level.
20% Taxable Income Cap (Often Overlooked)
Your QBI deduction can never exceed 20% of (Taxable Income minus Net Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends). High earners with large investment income often get capped here before the W-2/property tests even apply. Run the math both ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 20% QBI deduction permanent in 2027?
Yes. The OBBB tax law made Section 199A permanent in 2025, eliminating the original TCJA sunset date of December 31, 2025. The 20% QBI deduction continues indefinitely for tax years 2026, 2027, and beyond unless Congress acts to repeal it.
What's the 2027 QBI phaseout income threshold?
For 2027, the lower threshold (full 20% deduction) is approximately $241,950 for single and $483,900 for MFJ filers (IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 projections). Above these, SSTB owners face phaseout and non-SSTB owners face W-2 wage and property tests.
Can W-2 wages from my S corp be QBI?
No. Reasonable compensation you pay yourself from an S corp is wages, NOT QBI. Only the residual pass-through profit on the K-1 qualifies. Similarly, guaranteed payments to partners are excluded from QBI. This is a frequent IRS audit area.
Does rental income qualify for QBI in 2027?
Rental real estate qualifies for QBI only if it rises to a \u00a7162 trade or business OR meets the \u00a7199A safe harbor (250+ hours of rental services per year per enterprise, separate books). Triple-net leases and self-rentals have special rules.
What if my taxable income is less than my QBI?
Your deduction is capped at 20% of (Taxable Income minus Net Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends). Example: $150K QBI but only $100K taxable income (after standard deduction) means your deduction is capped at $20K, not $30K. Plan retirement contributions accordingly.
Who counts as an SSTB?
Specified Service Trade or Business includes: health, law, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services, brokerage services, and any business where the principal asset is the reputation or skill of one or more employees. SSTBs lose the deduction entirely above the upper threshold.