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2026 Isn’t Over For Your Taxes
The two biggest deductions in your Retirement Plan Stack can still be set up for 2026, well after December 31. If this year came in stronger than you planned, there is still time to keep more of it.
Open until your business tax filing deadline.
The Clock Is Running
Set up a 2026 plan before you file
15
FIRST 2027 DEADLINES corp and partnership returns are due March 15, 2027, or September 15 with an extension
Can I still lower my 2026 taxes?
Yes. A new profit sharing plan or defined benefit plan can be adopted for 2026 any time up to your business tax filing deadline, including extensions. These are layers two and three of the Stack, and they are where owners put away the most.
The one piece that does close at year end is 401(k) salary deferrals. Those have to come out of 2026 paychecks, so if a 401(k) is on your list, act before December 31.
Your 2026 window, by plan
| Plan | Set up for 2026 by | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Profit sharing plan | Your business tax filing deadline, including extensions | STILL OPEN |
| Defined benefit or cash balance plan | Your business tax filing deadline, including extensions | STILL OPEN |
| Solo 401(k) for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs | Your tax filing deadline, not including extensions | STILL OPEN |
| 401(k) salary deferrals in a group plan | December 31, 2026 | CLOSES DEC 31 |
When is your filing deadline?
| Business type | Filing deadline | With extension |
|---|---|---|
| S corporation or partnership | March 15, 2027 | September 15, 2027 |
| Sole proprietor or single-member LLC | April 15, 2027 | October 15, 2027 |
| C corporation | April 15, 2027 | October 15, 2027 |
Deadlines assume a calendar-year business. Plan adoption and funding rules vary by plan type and entity, so confirm the details with your tax professional.
You may be a strong fit if
- Your business is profitable. Steady cash flow and income you would rather keep than send to the IRS.
- You are 45 or older. Defined benefit limits rise with age, so owners in their 50s and 60s can often deduct six figures a year.
- Your team is small or younger than you. That keeps employee contributions efficient, so more of each dollar goes to the owners.
- You already max out your 401(k). The next layers of the Stack are built for exactly this.
- Your 2026 tax bill came in higher than expected. There is still time to change it.
Learn more: The Retirement Plan Stack | Cash Balance Plans | 2026 Contribution Limits
How We Get You a 2026 Deduction
From first call to filed return, we handle the design, the math, and the paperwork.
1
Review Your Numbers
We look at your 2026 profit, age, team, and current plan to see what’s still possible.
Design Your Stack
We layer profit sharing and a defined benefit plan on top of what you already have.
See the Numbers First
You get a clear illustration of your deduction, your savings, and your staff cost before you commit.
Done Before You File
We set up the plan and coordinate with your CPA before your return goes in.
Why business owners work with Life, Inc.
- Everything under one roof. Plan design and administration, investment advisory, and insurance strategies, all from one team. No juggling three different firms.
- A credentialed, in-house team. Our plan specialists hold industry designations including QKA, QPA, and AIF, and handle your plan year round.
- Independent and unbiased. We work with the recordkeeper that fits your business and don’t take kickbacks from any of them.
- Custom, not cookie-cutter. Every plan is designed around the owners’ tax goals first, then built to pass IRS testing.
- Nationwide. We design and administer plans for businesses across the country.
Learn more: 2026 Savings by Age | Cash Balance Plans | The Retirement Plan Stack | Tax Strategies for Business Owners | About Us
FREE Consultation!
Our Most
Asked Questions
Can I still set up a retirement plan for 2026 after December 31?
Yes. A new profit sharing plan or defined benefit plan can be adopted for 2026 up to your business’s tax filing deadline, including extensions.
What is the deadline for an S corporation?
March 15, 2027, or September 15, 2027 if the return is extended.
What is the deadline for a sole proprietor or C corporation?
April 15, 2027, or October 15, 2027 with an extension. A new solo 401(k) for a sole proprietor must be set up by the filing date without extensions.
Can I still make 2026 401(k) deferrals after year end?
Not in a group plan. Salary deferrals have to come out of 2026 paychecks, so they need to be in place before December 31.
How much can a defined benefit plan deduct?
It depends on your age, income, and team. For owners in their 50s and 60s, contributions often run well into six figures a year.
Do I have to include my employees?
Usually, yes. A good design keeps the employee cost efficient so most of the contribution goes to the owners, and you see the full cost before you commit.
Will this work with my CPA?
Yes. We coordinate the design and contribution amounts with your CPA before your return is filed.
Some Of Our Trusted Partners:
Life, Inc. Retirement Services does not offer tax advice. Please always consult your tax professional about your eligibility for tax credits.
Life, Inc. Retirement Services is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm of the state of Ohio and licensed in Florida and Maryland. All emails and communication are meant to be informative and educational and should not be considered a sale of security until proper notification and disclosures are given.