The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) signed into law in July 2025 introduces a new federal income tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation beginning with the 2025 tax year. This is one of the major individual tax provisions impacting filing this season.
🔎 What the Law Does
• Employees may deduct qualified overtime pay from federal taxable income on their 2025 return — up to $12,500 for individuals or $25,000 for joint filers.
• The deduction is available whether the taxpayer itemizes or claims the standard deduction.
• Qualified overtime generally means the premium portion paid under the Fair Labor Standards Act — the extra above the regular rate (e.g., the “half-time” portion of time-and-a-half).
đź“„ Reporting & Calculation for 2025
• Employers are NOT required in 2025 to separately report qualified overtime on Form W-2 or 1099s — there’s a transition rule for the first year.
• Because of this, taxpayers may need to calculate the qualified overtime deduction themselves using pay stubs or employer statements.
• Guidance (IRS Notice 2025-69) and Form 1040 instructions will explain how to determine the deduction amount and where to claim it (likely on a new Schedule 1-A attachment).
📊 Phase-outs & Limits
• The deduction begins to phase out for modified AGI over $150,000 ($300,000 married filing jointly).
• The overtime provision expires after tax year 2028 unless Congress extends it.
⚠️ Key Practitioner Points
• Overtime pay is still full taxable wages for payroll tax (Social Security/Medicare) purposes.
• Proper documentation is essential for clients claiming the deduction — employers may not provide separate reporting for 2025.
• When updated W-2 reporting becomes required in tax year 2026, the calculation will be easier.
đź’¬ Summary for Tax Season
Tax professionals should prepare to:
- Educate clients on this new deduction, not an exclusion.
- Help clients calculate qualified overtime amounts when separate reporting isn’t yet provided.
- Ensure claims are supported with documentation — pay stubs or written employer statements.
- Watch for updated IRS forms and instructions (Schedule 1-A).
Drop any questions your clients are bringing about overtime deductions — let’s walk through the correct way to handle them this filing season. 💼📄