Pass-Through Tax Planning to Boost New QBI Deduction Value

For clients who need to reduce taxable income by a more substantial amount, however, a cash balance plan may be a more viable solution.  A cash balance plan is essentially a cross between a traditional defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution plan (e.g., a 401(k)). Generally, employers will contribute a set portion of a participant's salary to the plan each year (a "pay credit"; usually equal to between 5 and 8 percent annually), and the participant's account will also be credited with an interest credit each year.

Cash balance plans are technically defined benefit plans, so the annual $55,000 total contribution limit for 401(k) plans does not apply. Instead, the contribution limit for cash balance plans is based on the amount that a participant may receive at retirement (in 2018, a 55 year old may be able to contribute as much as $194,000 to a cash balance plan). An actuary can be used to calculate backward from the benefit amount in order to determine each individual participant's contribution level.

The client is permitted to operate both a 401(k) plan and a cash balance plan at the same time, so that very high income clients can maximize contributions to both types of account.

The cash balance plan contribution will lower the taxable income of the business as a whole (rather than at the individual owner's level, so that the benefit is split among the business owners).  However, the business owner will be required to contribute to the accounts of non-highly compensated employees, as well, on an annual basis (meaning that the business owner should ensure that the business has sufficient profits to sustain the cash balance plan over a period of time).

In addition to retirement account planning strategies, small business clients who are charitably inclined should note that the 50 percent AGI limitation on cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations increased to 60 percent for 2018-2025 (the AGI limit on contributions of capital gains property (such as securities) remained at 30 percent).  This basically increases the amount of the contribution that the client will be able to deduct in order to further reduce taxable income.

Conclusion

Clients who operate service businesses and expect to exceed the threshold limits for the new QBI deduction still have time to take steps to reduce taxable income in order to qualify in 2018—a combination of retirement planning and charitable giving can help these clients realize substantial tax savings.

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