🔥 DAILY TAX TIP #16 — Starter Tax Credits & Employer Incentives for Retirement & the Small Business Edge Short Story: “Private Parker ran his tiny consulting business and assumed retirement plan startup costs were just overhead. He missed the tax credit—and the IRS wouldn’t let him recover it later.” THE TAX RULES:• The IRS site on “Retirement Plans - Startup Costs Tax Credit” states: Eligible employers with ≤ 100 employees may get a tax credit up to $5,000 for plan startup costs for three years. IRS• Under SECURE 2.0 the “Saver’s Match” will convert the Saver’s Credit into a federal match up to $2,000 per person starting 2027. Kiplinger+1• Notice 2024-2 explains miscellaneous changes under SECURE 2.0, including automatic enrollment and credit rules. IRS 🧭 Quick Action: ✅ For entrepreneur-clients with recent or new retirement plans: check if they qualify for the startup tax credit (Form 8881 for contribution credit). ✅ For clients contributing to their own IRAs or work-plans and with lower income: educate them about the upcoming “Saver’s Match” change for 2027—getting in early gives advantage. ✅ Add a “Retirement Plan Credit Review” item to your year-end checklist: size of employer, plan establishment date, contributions, eligible credits. 📣 Why It Matters: 💵 Tax credits are a dollar-for-dollar reduction of tax—not just deduction. 📈 Many small employers incorrectly skip the startup credit, leaving money unclaimed. 🔍 The “Saver’s Match” is coming—get clients ready now rather than scrambling later. PRO TIP: At year-end, identify new employer-plans started in last 3 years. Run a “Credit Eligibility” memo: employees count, date started, first-year contributions, maximum credit. Use Form 8881 as applicable.