The recent passage of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" signaled a pair of key wins for travel advisors.
On Monday, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) lauded the Section 199A deduction being made permanent and the legislation's expansion of qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentialing.
Previously set to expire at the end of 2025, the aforementioned tax break allows small businesses such as independent travel advisors to deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income (QBI).
The updated law increases the income limits to $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples filing jointly and guarantees a minimum $400 deduction for anyone earning at least $1,000 in active business income.
"Travel advisors pour their profits into customer service, technology and education," ASTA’s Vice President of Advocacy Jessica Klement said in a statement. "Making the tax deduction permanent provides certainty so they can keep innovating for travelers."
The bill also includes the text of the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which expands qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentialing. This includes ASTA's Verified Travel Advisor certification.
"Expanding the permissible use of 529 plan funds beyond traditional college costs means professionals can choose the training that best suits their goals," Klement added. "It is a common?sense update that will strengthen the travel advisor profession."
The good news comes just three months before ASTA and its members descend on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, for the organization's annual Legislative Day on October 6-8, 2025.
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