How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Could effect your Photography Business.
Congress just sent President Trump the 887-page “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Below is a photographer-centric breakdown you can paste straight into your blog.
Congress just sent President Trump the 887-page “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Below is a photographer-centric breakdown you can paste straight into your blog.
Quick Snapshot: What’s Actually in the Bill?
Permanent 2017 tax brackets and a bigger standard deduction stay in place through 2028, ending the sunset drama. journalofaccountancy.com
20 % pass-through (Section 199A) deduction is locked in for good. insurancenewsnet.com
2025-2028: no federal tax on tips, overtime, or interest paid on loans for U.S.–built vehicles. journalofaccountancy.com
SALT deduction cap rises to $40 k until 2028. journalofaccountancy.com
Clean-energy tax credits vanish after this year. theguardian.com
Deep cuts to Medicaid and SNAP shift costs onto individuals and states. theguardian.com
Adds roughly $3.3 trillion to the deficit over ten years. theguardian.com
Why Photographers Might Benefit
Lower effective tax rate. Permanent brackets + larger standard deduction = more net cash for sole proprietors and S-corps. journalofaccountancy.com
Section 199A certainty. Keeping the 20 % pass-through break removes the “will-it-expire?” cloud hanging over small studios. insurancenewsnet.com
Tip & overtime exclusions. Wedding shooters who collect gratuities or long-day premiums can keep that slice of income tax-free from 2025-2028. journalofaccountancy.com
Vehicle-interest write-off. Financing a U.S.–made van, SUV, or sprinter for on-location work gets cheaper while the deduction lasts. journalofaccountancy.com
Higher-income clients keep more money. Extended tax cuts can boost discretionary spending on premium photo packages.
Where It Could Sting
Marketplace-insurance pressure. Medicaid cuts often ripple into higher ACA premiums—painful for freelancers buying their own coverage. theguardian.com
No federal green-energy help. Solar panels for the studio or an electric delivery van lose their federal credit, raising out-of-pocket costs. theguardian.com
Deficit-driven rate creep. A larger federal debt can push interest rates up, making gear leases and studio loans pricier over time. theguardian.com
2028 cliff. All the juicy temporary breaks (tips, overtime, vehicle-interest, SALT bump) disappear—plan your long-term pricing now.
More gig-economy rivals. Weaker safety nets often nudge newcomers into side hustles, adding extra cameras in already competitive markets.
Action Steps to Stay Ahead
Front-load major gear purchases while 100 % bonus depreciation and Section 179 remain generous.
Reprice multi-year packages today so 2029 profits aren’t wiped out when deductions vanish.
Consider paying 2025 state taxes early to capture the $40 k SALT window if cash flow allows.
Hunt state or utility incentives (EV, solar, energy efficiency) to offset lost federal green credits.
Shop health plans early each enrollment season to lock in premiums before any ACA shocks hit.