When I first heard about the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” I knew we had to break it down for the MakingChips audience. This isn’t just another tax update—it’s a massive, 900-page piece of legislation with real implications for manufacturers like us. Whether you're thinking about buying equipment, expanding your facility, hiring more people, or selling your business down the road, the OBBB touches nearly every part of the decision-making process.

That’s why I called up my friends at CLA—Susan Roberts and Steve Combs—two tax pros who spend every day helping manufacturers figure out what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what you need to do now. In this episode, we sort through what’s “informational” and what’s “actionable”—so you can stop guessing and start planning.

We talk about everything from the return of 100% bonus depreciation, to how you can now expense R&D costs again (finally), to smart moves around entity selection and estate planning. There’s even a little salt cap drama in there. If you want to get ahead before year-end—or avoid getting caught off guard—this episode’s for you.

Let’s get into it and talk about how this “big, beautiful” bill can work for you… not against you.

Segments

• (0:18) Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA
• (1:33) Learn more about Susan Roberts and Steve Combs
• (4:05) What’s “informational” vs. “actionable” in the bill
• (7:42) Bonus depreciation is back—100% write-offs retroactive to Jan 19, 2025
• (10:01) How cost segregation studies unlock more depreciation for recent building purchases
• (12:20) Why you shouldn’t buy machines just for the deduction
• (13:45) QBI deduction (20%) made permanent (and what that means)
• (17:48) Entity selection: Is it time to consider a C Corp?
• (19:30) R&D can now be fully expensed—unlocking credits, cash flow, and retroactive deductions for everyday shop work
• (27:37) Why you should listen to Buy the Numbers
• (30:17) Interest expense deductions get easier for manufacturers in 2025
• (32:00) Limitations on capitalizing interest into inventory coming in 2026
• (33:21) Individual tax deductions: SALT cap increased from $10K to $40K (with phaseout)
• (38:02) Why PTET (pass-through entity tax) strategies still matter
• (40:39) Advanced manufacturing credit for semiconductors increased from 20% to 35%
• (42:09) Clarifying that buying tax credits is still an option for large C Corps
• (46:55) Estate exemption increased to $15M and indexed for inflation
• (48:02) Opportunity Zone deferral extended—now with rolling 10-year plan
• (50:10) Low-hanging fruit for 2025: R&D recapture, bonus depreciation, cost seg studies
• (53:40) The risk of unintended consequences without a tax advisor
• (55:01) Final verdict: Is the One Big Beautiful Bill actually beautiful for manufacturing?
• (1:01:16) Don’t get burned by recruiters who don’t understand manufacturing

Resources mentioned on this episode

• CLA’s Website
• Susan Roberts - [email protected]
• Steve Combs - [email protected]
• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• Manufacturing Grants Made Simple
• Hire MFG Leaders

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