CFP Board Releases New Resource on the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA)

CFP Board has released a new resource to help CFP® professionals and CFP® exam candidates, as well as CFP Board Registered Programs and exam-prep providers, understand the sweeping changes in OBBBA that affect financial planning. Questions related to provisions of OBBBA will appear on the CFP® exam starting with the March 2026 exam.

The 40+-page CFP Board’s Key Elements: “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” guide focuses on aspects of OBBBA that relate to items on CFP Board’s Principal Knowledge Topics list. The guide covers changes including:

• The increased cap for the state and local tax deduction (SALT);
• New rules for charitable giving deductions;
• Expanded qualified expenses for 529 plan distributions;
• ABLE account enhancements;
• Changes to rules for student loans;
• Business tax provisions and more.

Each section of the new guide explains the related changes under OBBBA, identifies the corresponding Principal Knowledge Topics, assesses the change’s impact, offers related planning opportunities and considerations, and provides suggested learning objectives regarding the changes.

The guide also includes analysis of several changes under review that will not appear on the CFP® exam until additional clarification is issued. OBBBA was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

To learn more about the new law, join CFP Board’s CE-eligible webinar on Nov. 19 from 1-3 p.m. ET, which will explore OBBBA’s key elements and their implications for financial planning professionals serving mass-affluent clients. The session will feature a panel of experts offering practical strategies, case studies and actionable guidance. Register here.