QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Emerging Issues and Insights

June 2, 2025

Q. Can the partner in a CPA firm partnership qualify for the §199A deduction?

There is a misconception that the answer is no in all circumstances, because of the classification of most personal service businesses as specified service trades or businesses (“SSTBs”). However, if the partner’s taxable income is below certain specified amounts, the SSTB restriction does not apply (for 2026, the thresholds are $403,500 for married filing jointly, $201,775 for married filing separately and $201,750 for all other filers, subject to phase-in of the SSTB limitation between those amounts and $553,500, $276,775, or $276,750, respectively).

What Attendees Are Saying

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VP, 275-person accounting firm

"Excellent presenters. Great materials which will be a valuable reference."

Attorney, 150-person firm

"I enjoyed the interaction between the two presenters and casual atmosphere. Good outline and book to use later."

Employee of 80-person real estate company

"Both presenters took difficult subject matters and made them very understandable."

CPA, 50-person firm

"The class was very upbeat and moved along quickly. I enjoyed looking at the BIG picture to help analyze other situations."

CPA, 40-person firm

"The overall topic range was great. I liked the fact that Chuck and Michael kept the training moving and we did not dwell too long in any given area."

CPA, 800-person firm

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CPA, 15-person firm

"The pace of the program was good. The planning examples were also useful in that they have practical application."

CPA, 150-person firm

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Attorney, 350-person firm

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CPA, 64-person firm

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CPA, 25-person firm

"Enjoyed the ability of speakers to mesh rules with practical examples."

Attorney, 50-person firm

"I thought the material was presented very well. The interaction between the speakers kept the discussions interesting. Additionally, I found their teaching style to be very informative."

CPA, 15-person firm

"Excellent coverage of the topics; organized and on schedule. First class job on all accounts. Love the approach of emphasizing concepts and transactions."

Owner of nursing homes with 27,000 employees

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Attorney, 80-person firm

"I enjoyed the transaction approach to learning — it is very, very effective."

CPA, 700-person firm

"It was extremely informative — just what I had been looking for to expand my knowledge in the area....Helped me to be even more aware of the areas where more in-depth knowledge is required than I have and yet to also be able to do more on my own."

Attorney, 45-person firm

"This is exactly what I needed to grow my practice! Wish I had done this years ago."

Partner, top 10 CPA firm

"The panel is the most knowledgeable and practical of all professional seminars I attend."

CPA, 115-person firm

"I liked the team approach and that all stayed involved throughout the program. Covered lots of material in detailed fashion without being boring."

Employee, 50-person investment firm

"A great job. Best part is instructors’ access to questions."

Attorney, 12-person firm

"Enjoyed the panel approach, interaction between the panelists and audience. Common sense, down to earth approach to tough issues and focus on planning ideas and products."

CPA, 70-person firm

"Enjoyed the use of real world situations with structural analysis and alternative solutions to problems. Interaction between panel keeps program interesting."

Attorney, 180-person firm

"This is one of the best planned programs I attend each year. The best I should say. Also, the obvious competence of the faculty in presentation makes it #1."

CPA, sole practitioner

"I especially like the use of practical examples and live transactions as well as the instructors' thoughts. This clearly sets this forum apart from other programs. I also enjoyed the review of the economics of the various transactions! Very well done!!"

Employee of investment management firm

"I enjoyed the cutting-edge planning techniques.... Simply the best program out there."

CPA, 50-person firm

"Great explanations and speaker interaction with each other and the audience."

Attorney, 150-person firm

"They are the most creative in the discussion leader business — I talked five tax partners into coming and they loved it."

CPA, 140-person firm

"Levun & Cohen are the best tag-team discussion leaders I've ever encountered."

Family real estate business owner

"Enjoyed that all instructors participated in each subject, the discussion among them, and the perspectives and presentation that flowed evenly. It was the best seminar I have ever attended."

IRS attorney

"Cohen & Levun are outstanding presenters who do an excellent job of integrating examples with technical rigor. These materials are the best I've ever seen at integrating new laws/regs/authority with existing materials and examples."

CPA, 10-person firm

"Enjoyed the instructors! They did a great job of presenting complicated materials. The transaction-oriented format was excellent. This is probably the best training session I've ever been to."

Closely held family business owner

"You just can't find their combination of experience, knowledge and expertise in communication and application of knowledge anywhere else!"

CPA, 80-person firm

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Attorney, 175-person firm

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CPA, 100-person firm

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Sole Practitioner, Law Firm

I get ideas that are extremely relevant and applicable… and a validation of things I have already done.”

Managing Director, Global Consulting Firm

"Event was well put together for the virtual format. Of the virtual CPE I have done, this by far has been the best."

Partner at 300+ person accounting firm

"Best program in the area of partnerships and S corps I have attended in my 35+ years of practicing as a CPA/tax advisor."

Partner regional accounting firm

"Adapted well to the virtual experience this year, really enjoyed it and greatly appreciate all of the time, energy and effort from the team that went into pulling it off this year."

Partner at top 20 accounting firm

"I thoroughly enjoyed this seminar being virtual. The effort that was put in to make this interactive and informative was very obvious and appreciated."

Senior Tax Accountant at 300+ person accounting firm

"The content is always relevant to my practice and incredibly helpful."

CPA at 375+ person accounting firm

“In the 47 years I have been in CPA practice, I have been to gazillions of seminars. None have come close to the level and consistency of quality that I have experienced in the many years I have attended the Forum.”

Partner, national accounting firm

"The perfect balance of technical training coupled with real-life transactions. A favorite of the staff year after year."

Board Member, Top 10 Accounting Firm