Ep 56 | 2026 Tax Law Changes for Small Business Owners with Gary J Marini, CPA

Whenever you're ready, we can help you in one of two ways: Take our free financial health assessment: https://www.foxhillwealth.com/financial-health-quiz Join us in our free Wealth Wisdom Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/wealth-wisdom-collective   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Past market performance is not a guarantee of future results. Always consult with a financial professional before making investment decisions.   Follow along at: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fox-hill-wealth 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxhillwealth 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoxHillWealthManagement This week on Wealth Wisdom, we’re digging into something a lot of business owners have been wondering about but maybe haven’t had the time (or patience) to fully unpack yet: the tax law changes coming in 2026 and what they actually mean for you. We’re joined by Gary J. Marini, Managing Director at Peck Associates, who’s spent decades working side by side with founders, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses. Instead of getting lost in technical jargon, we focus on what’s really changing, what’s not, and where small business owners should actually be paying attention as these new rules start to take shape. We talk through the big updates  like changes to the SALT deduction, what’s happening with the QBI deduction, and why the return of R&D expensing is such a meaningful shift for startups and innovation-driven companies. We also walk through how different business structures, S Corps, C Corps, and LLCs, are impacted, and why those differences matter if you’re thinking about growth, outside capital, or eventually selling your business. From there, we zoom out and get practical. We cover how to think about estimated taxes and safe harbor rules, why having clean, up-to-date books makes planning so much easier, and how tools like HSAs, Solo 401(k)s, and Roth conversions fit into a longer-term strategy, not just this year’s tax return. In this episode, we cover: • The tax law changes business owners should understand heading into 2026 • How SALT, QBI, and R&D updates can impact cash flow and your overall tax bill • S Corp vs C Corp vs LLC, and how to think about structure under the new rules • Common tax moves that sound good online but raise red flags in real life • Why steady, proactive planning almost always beats scrambling at the last minute A big thank you to Gary Marini for joining us and bringing a clear, grounded perspective to a topic that can feel overwhelming. His insights help cut through the noise and give business owners a more confident way to think about planning for what’s next. For educational purposes only. This podcast is not financial, tax, or investment advice. For personalized financial guidance, please contact us directly.   Timestamps: 00:20 Introducing Special Guest: Gary Marini 02:45 Market Updates and Economic Insights 06:11 Small Business Tax Strategies 08:33 Qualified Small Business Stock Explained 11:19 Apple's AI Partnership and Market Impact 14:40 Recent Government Policies and Their Effects 18:13 Tax Law Changes and Their Implications 28:20 The Reality of Business Incentives 28:48 The Impact of AI on Employment 29:48 Qualified Business Income Deduction Explained 31:42 Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses 33:41 Choosing the Right Business Structure 45:08 Home Office and Vehicle Deductions 49:59 Retirement Planning for Business Owners 54:16 Final Thoughts and Advice for Small Business Owners