For business owners looking to maximize their financial efficiency and business gains, their understanding of the tax system and its particulars is vital. One element that tends to stand. Out for business owners is the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction which can reduce taxable income by a huge margin. This deduction can be availed through the 8995 form. But what is Form 8995, and how does it fit into the larger picture of the QBI deduction?

In this guide, we attempt to unpack what Form 8995 is, who are the primary users, and provide you with a holistic understanding of its much advanced counterpart, the Form 8995-A.

What is Form 8995?

Form 8995 is also known as the Qualified Business Income Deduction Simplified Computation. It is a form provided by the IRS that allows specific types of business owners to claim a deduction for qualified business income (QBI).

This deduction has been previously established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. It originated right after the 14% corporate tax reduction was announced as part of the Act. However, this had only been beneficial for around 5% of smaller businesses which had been listed as C-corporations. Other smaller entities did not really receive any benefits.

To assist sole proprietorships, LLC, and many other types, legislators attempted to develop QBID. This led to the following development;

If you are a sole proprietor who owns a pass-through business that has accumulated $200,000 in qualified business income during 2022, and the QBI deduction applies to you, it reduces your taxable income by 20%, which makes the final taxable business income for that year equivalent to $160,000.

How Do I Claim the 8995 Form Tax Deduction?

If you are self-employed or the owner of a small business and you filed Form 1040 (Individual Income Tax Return) you are eligible for the QBI deduction. To calculate this, you are required to fill either Form 8995 or 8995-A.

What is the Purpose and Importance of the Form?

The QBI deduction can allow eligible businesses to enjoy a deduction of up to 20% of their qualified business income. This allows them to save on taxes and makes it quite attractive for business owners.

Form 8995 is a great assistance for those whose taxable income falls below a certain threshold. It ensures they take full advantage of the deduction without getting caught up in the complicated computations. For others with a higher level of income, Form 8995-A is also provided.

Who is Eligible for the 8995 Form?

To use Form 8995, business owners must meet specific criteria. Primarily, their taxable income should fall below the threshold set by the IRS for the tax year. For example, in 2023, the threshold is $182,100 for single filers, married filing separately, and household heads owning a pass-through business. It goes up to $364,200 for married couples filing jointly.

According to the IRS, this threshold is expected to increase to $383,900 for married couplies filing jointly, and $191,950 for others. If you meet the QBID requirements relating to the business structure and if your taxable business income is lower than the threshold set by the IRS for your filing status, you may qualify for a full tax deduction.

In case your income rises above the set threshold, you may still be eligible. However, you might have to study the additional criteria set by the IRS to determine whether you qualify for a partial deduction.

There are certain cases in which you might not qualify or may be subject to phase outs. These include;

• Instances where your taxable income rises above $464,200 (married filing jointly), or above $232,100 (other kinds of filers).
• Instances where your taxable rises above the income threshold and you fall into one of the specified trades as per the IRS which includes doctors, accountants, lawyers, etc.

However, in case your income exceeds the threshold but you are not a part of the specified trades, you may be able to receive the tax deduction through Form 8995-A.

Who Can Use the 8995 Form?

What is Form 8995-A and why is it so useful? Who can make use of the benefits? Not every business owner can use the 8995 Form. Qualified business income deduction from form 8995 is subject to specific qualifications that relate to business structure, income type, and certain income thresholds as discussed above. Here are some criteria that might help;

According to Business Structure

If your business falls into one of these categories, you may qualify to use Form 8995, provided you meet the other criteria.

• Sole Proprietorships: Individual business owners report their income on Schedule C.
• Partnerships: Partners in a business report their share of income on Schedule K-1.
• S Corporations: Shareholders report their share of income on Schedule K-1.
• LLCs: Members of an LLC can report income similarly to partnerships or S corporations, depending on their tax election.

According to the Income Type

The QBI deduction applies to income from qualified businesses, which generally includes income from:

• Trade or Business Income: Profits from regular business operations.
• REIT Dividends: Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts.
• Publicly Traded Partnerships (PTP) Income: Income from publicly traded partnerships.

Types of Income Excluded

Not all types of income qualify for the QBI deduction. Excluded income includes:

• Capital Gains and Losses: Profits from the sale of capital assets.
• Dividends: Income from stock dividends (excluding REIT dividends).
• Interest Income: Interest from investments, unless it is business-related.
• Wages: W-2 wages and guaranteed payments to partners.

Understanding these exclusions is essential for accurately calculating your QBI and ensuring you are not over-claiming the deduction.

Understanding Form 8995-A

For business owners whose taxable income exceeds the threshold or who have more complex financial situations, Form 8995-A comes into play. This form requires a more detailed computation and considers additional factors and limitations.

Lines 1-4

Start by filling out Line 1 of Form 8995 with your business’s name and taxpayer ID number. You can list up to five businesses here (let’s call them A, B, C, D, and E), along with each one’s qualified income or loss for the year. On Line 2, you’ll add up the total qualified business income or loss for all the businesses you listed in Line 1 (A, B, C, D, E).

If you have a net business loss from last year, make sure to note that amount in Line 3.

For Line 4, combine the totals from Lines 2 and 3. This will give you the sum of your business income or loss, including any amounts carried forward from previous years.

Then, for Line 5, simply multiply the total from Line 4 by 20% (or 0.20).

Lines 6-10

Lines 6 to 10 focus on your income from real estate investment trusts (REITs) and publicly traded partnerships (PTPs). First, list your current year’s income from these investments. Add any amounts you need to carry forward from the prior year, then multiply the total by 20%. Enter this 20% amount in the appropriate spot.

Lines 11-15

These lines are all about the income threshold. If your total taxable business income before the pass-through deduction is less than $170,050 (or $340,100 for joint filers) for 2022, your QBI deduction will be the lesser of 20% of either:

• Your taxable income minus net capital gains, or
• Your qualified business income.

In Lines 11 and 12, enter your taxable business income and net capital gains (these are found on Lines 3a and 7 of your Form 1040).

Now for the calculation: Subtract your net capital gains from your qualified business income and write the result in Line 13. Multiply this result by 20% to get the amount for Line 14. Finally, compare the amounts on Lines 10 and 14 and record the smaller one on Line 15. This is your QBI deduction.

Lines 16-17

Lines 16 and 17 help you calculate any carryover loss. If you have a negative net qualified business income, known as a qualified business loss, you can’t deduct it this year. However, you can carry it forward to offset income in future profitable years.

Navigating Complex Calculations

The complexity of Form 8995-A arises from the need to account for various adjustments, limitations, and phase-outs. This requires a thorough understanding of tax laws and careful attention to detail. Errors in these calculations can result in incorrect deductions and potential issues with the IRS.

Given the complexities involved, many business owners seek professional assistance when dealing with Form 8995-A. A qualified tax advisor can help ensure accurate calculations, compliance with tax laws, and maximized deductions.

FAQs

What is Form 8995 used for?

Form 8995 is used to calculate the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction for eligible business owners with taxable income below a certain threshold. It simplifies the process of claiming this deduction.

How does Form 8995 differ from Form 8995-A?

Form 8995 is a simplified form for calculating the QBI deduction for those with taxable income below the threshold. Form 8995-A is for those with more complex financial situations or higher incomes, requiring detailed computations and additional adjustments.

Who qualifies to use Form 8995?

Business owners with taxable income below the IRS threshold can use Form 8995, provided their business structure and income types qualify.

What types of income are excluded from the QBI deduction?

Excluded income includes capital gains and losses, dividends (excluding REIT dividends), interest income (unless business-related), and wages or guaranteed payments to partners.

Can I still claim the QBI deduction if my income exceeds the threshold?

Yes, but you will need to use Form 8995-A, which accounts for additional limitations and phase-outs based on your income level.

Why might I need professional help with Form 8995-A?

Form 8995-A involves complex calculations and detailed adjustments that can be challenging to navigate. Professional assistance ensures accurate computations and compliance with tax laws.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the complex QBI deduction and calculation as well as the differing usage of Form 8995 and Form 8995-A can be quite daunting. At Monily, we specialize in providing expert bookkeeping and tax services to help business owners maximize their deductions and ensure compliance. Whether you need assistance with the simplified 8995 form or the more complex Form 8995-A, our team of professionals is here to help.

Contact Monily today to learn how we can help you navigate these complicated forms, optimize your tax strategies, and save money. Let us handle the complexities so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.

Also read:

• A Complete Guide To IRS 941 Form Submission
• A Guide To IRS Form 720
• What Is A W-9 Tax Form And How Is It Used?
• What Is The 1099 NEC Form? How To File a 1099 NEC?

Farwah Jafri

Farwah Jafri is a financial management expert and Product Owner at Monily, where she leads financial services for small and medium businesses. With over a decade of experience, including a directorial role at Arthur Lawrence UK Ltd., she specializes in bookkeeping, payroll, and financial analytics. Farwah holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School and a BS in Computer Software Engineering. Based in Houston, Texas, she is dedicated to helping businesses better their financial operations.