Make the OBBBA Work for Your Firm: Tax Advisory Strategies Under the One Big Beautiful Bill

Published: August 21, 2025

Introduction

In our last post, we explored why advisory services consistently outperform traditional tax prep. With billable rates starting at $275 per hour, advisory is the path to stronger margins, steadier cash flow, and deeper client relationships. Now, the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has arrived, creating an even bigger case for accountants to expand into advisory.

This sweeping tax law cements many of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions while layering on new deductions and credits. For firms willing to pivot, OBBBA is more than legislation—it is a high-value advisory opportunity.

What the OBBBA Means for Accounting Firms

The OBBBA, signed into law on July 4, 2025, is one of the largest tax and spending packages in recent history. It makes TCJA provisions permanent, expands deductions, and introduces new client-facing tax breaks. While these changes create complexity for tax prep, they open the door for accountants to step up as strategic advisors.

Clients are asking questions. Business owners, high-income earners, and service workers all want to know what OBBBA means for them. Firms that deliver answers through advisory services will be able to charge premium rates and differentiate themselves from compliance-only practices.

Top Advisory Opportunities Under the OBBBA

Expanded SALT Deduction

The OBBBA raises the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 through 2029. Clients in high-tax states now have significantly more room to optimize their deductions. Advisory firms can package SALT analysis as part of an annual planning service that demonstrates real savings.

New Overtime and Tip Deductions

Workers and businesses in hospitality, retail, and service industries benefit from two major breaks:

• A deduction of up to $12,500 for overtime pay through 2028
• Full deductibility of tipped income for employees

Advisory services can guide clients on maximizing these deductions and aligning them with payroll strategies.

Strategic Tax Planning Beyond Compliance

The permanence of TCJA provisions, combined with temporary OBBBA credits, makes this a prime environment for advisory strategies such as:

• Roth conversions timed around income thresholds
• Estate planning that leverages higher exemptions while they last
• Retirement income strategies for clients nearing distribution age

Each of these can be delivered as a tailored advisory package worth far more than a basic tax prep fee according to The American College.

How Advisory Services Deliver Value With OBBBA

Advisory transforms legislation into client wins. For example:

• A family in New York hitting the new $40,000 SALT cap could save thousands with the right planning.
• A restaurant owner could restructure payroll to maximize overtime deductions and reduce taxable income.
• A high-net-worth client could combine Roth conversions with SALT planning for a double benefit.

These are not compliance tasks—they are strategic insights worth $275 per hour and beyond.

Action Plan for Firms

1. Audit Your Services: Identify where OBBBA intersects with your client base. High-tax states, service industries, and retirees are prime targets.
2. Build Advisory Packages: Offer services like “OBBBA Optimization” that combine deduction analysis, tax planning, and entity strategy.
3. Communicate Early: Send personalized OBBBA updates to clients with a clear call to action: schedule an advisory session.
4. Price for Value: Move away from hourly tax prep billing and toward tiered advisory packages that reflect client outcomes.

Conclusion

The OBBBA has introduced complexity that tax prep alone cannot solve. Clients do not just want forms filled out—they want proactive guidance that maximizes deductions and plans for the future. Accounting firms that lean into advisory will not only help clients navigate the One Big Beautiful Bill, they will also unlock higher profits, stronger relationships, and long-term growth.

Advisory is no longer optional. With the OBBBA in effect, it is the most profitable path forward.

FAQs

• What is the OBBBA?

  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a 2025 tax and spending law that extends TCJA provisions, raises the SALT cap, and introduces new deductions for overtime and tips.

• How can accountants help clients with OBBBA?

  By offering advisory services that cover SALT optimization, payroll strategy, retirement planning, and estate planning.

• Why is advisory more profitable than tax prep under OBBBA?

  Because clients will pay premium rates for strategic guidance, not just compliance. Advisory rates start at $275 per hour and can scale much higher depending on complexity.