Section 199-A

Section 199-A in the tax code allows pass-through businesses to deduct 20 percent of annual qualified business income when determining their tax liability. Treasury Department guidance issued in 2018 clearly states that pass-through entities that use a PEO are eligible for this tax credit. NAPEO supports including that guidance as legislative language in tax reform legislation.

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How Section 199-A Impacts PEOs

The wording of Section 199-A was interpreted by some accountants and tax attorneys to mean that pass-through entities in a PEO arrangement might conceivably jeopardize their eligibility for the 20 percent tax deduction. Because the tax deduction is limited by the amount of W-2 wages paid, the concern/argument is that the only way the client can be certain of this deduction may be to end the PEO relationship and have the W-2 wages reported under the pass-through entities’ tax identification number.

The Final Rule sought by NAPEO and issued by the IRS and Treasury makes it clear that the clients of both certified and non-certified PEOs are eligible for the Section 199-A tax deduction.

Resources on Section 199-A