Are You Missing Out on the New OBBBA Tax Deductions?

The 2026 tax filing season brought a wave of changes for California taxpayers, largely thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed in mid-2025. Treasury reports indicate over 53 million filers successfully utilized at least one of these newly minted tax benefits. While our team at Christiansen Accounting saw many of these in action, independent polling suggests a surprising number of eligible folks left money on the table.

What the Numbers Tell Us

Let's look at the early data released around Tax Day. The IRS processed roughly 120 million individual returns by early April, issuing nearly 80 million refunds. The average refund jumped by about 11% compared to last year, landing at $3,462. Here is a breakdown of the most popular OBBBA provisions claimed:

  • The Overtime (OT) Deduction: More than 25 million people claimed this, saving an average of $3,100.
  • Tip Income Deduction: Over 6 million returns featured this deduction, averaging slightly above $7,100.
  • Enhanced Senior Deduction: Over 30 million older taxpayers benefited. While capped at $6,000 per eligible senior, married couples filing jointly can secure up to $12,000. The average claim hovered near $7,500.
  • Auto Loan Interest: Just over 1 million filers deducted interest paid on American-made vehicle loans.
  • Doubled Standard Deduction: Well over 100 million filers utilized this permanent increase.

Additionally, Americans opened roughly 5 million "Trump Accounts" for children under 18, though these specific accounts do not yield a direct tax deduction.

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Did You Miss Out on OBBBA Tax Deductions?

A recent Bipartisan Policy Center survey revealed a frustrating awareness gap. Among those polled, 27% earned overtime pay, yet only 15% claimed the OT deduction. Similarly, 17% earned tip income, but a mere 10% took the tip deduction. Why the disconnect?

For one, 2025 transitional rules caused plenty of headaches. Because W-2 and 1099 formats weren't updated in time to separate cash tips or qualified overtime, many employers simply didn't provide those broken-out totals. This left taxpayers—and even some preparers—guessing on how to compute the new deductions. Throw in complex income phaseouts and stringent recordkeeping requirements, and it is easy to see why some filers skipped these benefits rather than risk a mistake.

We Can Review Your 2025 Return

Government leaders consider this season a win for middle-class tax relief, but that doesn't mean every eligible Californian maximized their outcome. If you suspect you missed out on overtime, tip, or senior deductions due to confusing payroll reporting, reach out to Christiansen Accounting. Our seven-person team is ready to review your recent filing and, if needed, prepare an amended tax return to help you recover those funds. Schedule a consultation with us today to ensure your books and personal returns are fully optimized.

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