The 2026 Field Guide addresses estate planning, retirement planning, business planning, and employee benefits in four distinct sections. It includes practical advice on applying the latest legislation and case law, and it incorporates projected inflation adjustments for 2026. Supportive charts accompany complex topics to clarify essential concepts. State-by-state summaries cover sales tax rates, capital gains rates, and estate/inheritance tax rates.

New in the 2026 Edition:

• Analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, featuring a new section summarizing the act’s provisions and a dedicated section on Trump accounts, traditional IRAs with unique rules applying until a child reaches age 18.

• Updates throughout the book reflecting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with coverage of:

  • 529 Plans, including the expanded definition of qualified education expenses and the rollover of 529 plans into ABLE accounts
  • The senior deduction of up to $6,000 (single filers) or $12,000 (married filing jointly)
  • The 199A deduction for pass-through companies, including a new minimum deduction of $400 (adjusted for inflation) for eligible taxpayers, effective after the tax year ending December 31, 2025
  • Expanded Qualified Small Business Stock benefits that offer substantial new opportunities for founders, investors, and emerging companies
  • Aggregation and allocation rules under IRC Sec. 162(m), applying the $1 million limit to “specified covered employees” of publicly held corporations within a controlled group for executive bonus plans

• A new section on private placement life insurance and how it differs from traditional variable life insurance

• Update on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision granting the Department of Labor’s request for a 60-day extension to determine next steps on continuing litigation regarding the DOL’s “final rule”

• The latest Health Savings Account limits

• Updated state laws on intestate succession and revised summaries of income tax, capital gains tax, and estate and inheritance tax in every state

Key Topics Covered:

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• SECURE Act and SECURE Act 2.0
• Estate, gift, and income tax planning strategies
• Business valuations and transfers
• Employee compensation and benefit planning
• Asset protection strategies
• Insurance products and risk management techniques
• Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid eligibility and benefits
• Fringe benefits
• Trust structures and trust planning
• Corporations and pass-through entities