Questions? Call us: (614) 396-7652
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.
Set up a 2026 plan before you file
FIRST 2027 DEADLINES corp and partnership returns are due March 15, 2027, or September 15 with an extension
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.
| 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 |
| 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.
Learn more: The Retirement Plan Stack | Cash Balance Plans | 2026 Contribution Limits
From first call to filed return, we handle the design, the math, and the paperwork.
1
We look at your 2026 profit, age, team, and current plan to see what’s still possible.
We layer profit sharing and a defined benefit plan on top of what you already have.
You get a clear illustration of your deduction, your savings, and your staff cost before you commit.
We set up the plan and coordinate with your CPA before your return goes in.
Learn more: 2026 Savings by Age | Cash Balance Plans | The Retirement Plan Stack | Tax Strategies for Business Owners | About Us
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.
March 15, 2027, or September 15, 2027 if the return is extended.
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.
Not in a group plan. Salary deferrals have to come out of 2026 paychecks, so they need to be in place before December 31.
It depends on your age, income, and team. For owners in their 50s and 60s, contributions often run well into six figures a year.
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.
Yes. We coordinate the design and contribution amounts with your CPA before your return is filed.
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.