44% of CFOs expect to benefit from One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s tax benefits

Core Insights - A plurality of CFOs expect their companies to benefit from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), with 44% of surveyed finance chiefs anticipating positive impacts compared to 18% who foresee negative effects [1] Group 1: Preparedness and Opportunities - Companies are well-prepared to leverage domestic opportunities presented by OBBBA, including 100% bonus depreciation, immediate expensing for R&D costs, and improved interest-expense deduction rules [2] - The anticipation of tax savings is driving companies to plan for increased strategic spending, with 51% of CFOs expecting operational expenses to rise, up from 35% in the previous quarter [3] Group 2: Focus Areas and Concerns - The focus on cash and liquidity among CFOs has decreased significantly, from 45% in Q3 to 30% in Q4, while cost optimization focus also fell from 48% to 37% [4] - Despite the positive outlook on OBBBA, concerns remain regarding the implementation of its business tax provisions, particularly around eligibility, compliance, and tax-planning strategies for 2025 and beyond [4] Group 3: Awareness and Risks - Company leaders may not fully recognize all the benefits of OBBBA, potentially missing opportunities to reduce international tax exposure through reforms in GILTI, FDII, and BEAT rules [5] - There are potential risks related to state taxes, including increased state audit activity as states hire former IRS employees to bolster tax enforcement, which companies should not underestimate [6]