Category: Articles

Gearing up for Innovation and Product Development in 2026

With the holiday season now upon us, maybe you’ve been experimenting with new seasonal brews or flavors. Or maybe you’re mulling over new product ideas for the coming new year. Let’s talk about some opportunities for innovation and product development—and the tax savings that come along with them—as we head into 2026.

New Flavors

Flavor development is a significant form of product innovation for alcoholic beverage producers. Current and predicted trending flavors include savory and spicy flavors (think pickles and jalapeño peppers), pistachio, botanicals (like rose, lavender, and elderflower), exotic fruits like yuzu, and tropical fruits like pineapple and passionfruit. Consumers today are drawn towards layered and intentionally crafted flavor profiles, as well as compelling origin stories and flavors that trigger a sense of nostalgia.

Unique Ingredients

Distinctive, memorable ingredients are also taking a front seat in the alcoholic beverage space. Some emerging standout ingredients across various global regions include tahini, roselle hibiscus, Valencia orange, olives, white pepper, and finger lime. The incorporation of other unique ingredients into alcoholic beverages, such as chiles, miso, and herbal teas, is also reportedly on the rise.

Health-conscious Options

As health and wellness take priority among today’s consumers, alcoholic beverage producers are seeking ways to appeal to a more health-conscious audience. “Gut-friendly” beverages, whole-wheat beers, low-calorie drinks, and low-carb options appeal to health-conscious drinkers and people with dietary restrictions.

“NoLo” Beverages

With the “sober-curious” movement gaining traction, especially amongst younger generations, low-alcohol and no-alcohol options are growing in popularity. Many large beer, wine, and spirit makers have jumped on the “NoLo” (no- and low-alcohol) train in response to increased consumer demand. In addition, more consumers are seeking products with functional benefits as well as great taste. Functional ingredients—such as mushrooms, herbs, antioxidants, probiotics, and adaptogens—offer potential health benefits that may attract certain mindful consumers. These trends present an opportunity for brewers and distillers to experiment with low-ABV, no-ABV, and alternative options in order to appeal to a wider audience.

Innovative Technologies

Emerging technologies open many doors when it comes to new product development. Innovations in production such as genetic engineering, the use of new enzyme variants, and advanced fermentation and distillation techniques help brewers and distillers develop one-of-a-kind products. Furthermore, AI and machine learning technologies offer businesses the opportunity to streamline new product development and optimize product marketing and design.

…So, how does this relate to your taxes?

Changes to R&D Treatment Under the OBBBA

In general, activities like developing new recipes and experimenting with new production methods fall under the category of “research and development.” Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), U.S. research and development expenditures, previously required to be amortized over five years, can now be deducted in the year paid. This represents a win for brewers and distilleries planning to innovate and develop new products in 2026. For many U.S. businesses, the restoration of immediate R&D expensing will reduce taxable income, improve cash flow, and free up capital for further investment and improvements.

For more detailed information regarding this important tax law change, call to speak with one of our experts today. Our team at RBT can help you make the most of R&D deductions and other tax-saving opportunities. Partner with us and find out how we can be Remarkably Better Together.

RBT CPAs Named One of the Best Places to Work in New York

For the 6^th consecutive year, RBT CPAs has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and Best Companies Group.

Businesses compete for a spot on the list based on a review of its business policies, practices, work environment, demographics, and the results of an employee engagement survey. RBT CPAs – a leading accounting, auditing, consulting, and tax firm in the Hudson Valley – ranked 11^th in the medium employer category, moving up one spot from last year. The company adds the award to a growing list of recognition, including the 2021 Forbes Best Tax Firms in America List; Reader’s Choice Best of the Best 2021 List; and others for best regional accounting firm and employer.

“We are thrilled to once again make the Best Places to Work in New York list,” says Managing Partner Mike Turturro. “We really do work hard to create a professional culture that fosters learning and growth. Every single RBT CPA employee makes an impact at work every single day, while being part of an organization that takes tremendous pride in being a valuable contributing member of the Hudson Valley community. We foster an open-door environment, where titles don’t matter. Instead, we focus our energies on working together to deliver excellence and exceed client expectations with every engagement.”

Winning a coveted spot on the list couldn’t occur at a better time, as RBT CPAs continues its annual recruitment process looking for future team members who will have the growth opportunity to become future partners. “We are growing across all fields and looking to expand our team with new talent looking to use their skills to contribute to RBT CPA’s and our clients’ success.” To learn about its workplace, culture, rewards, and job opportunities, visit RBT CPAs’ careers pages.

About RBT CPAs RBT CPAs LLP is one of the Hudson Valley’s largest CPA firm. The company services clients in construction, education, employee benefits, government, health care, manufacturing, and more. The dedicated professional RBT team is committed to providing outstanding service and prompt communication with clients. Learn more about its diverse offerings and award-winning service at RBTCPAs.com.

Hours, Hours, and Less Hours

Excitement is building as we are getting ready to celebrate the last holidays of the year. The majority of us will be lucky enough to have two short work weeks without dipping into our personal PTO bank. When we return to our offices in January, we will return to our normal 40 hour workweek. Unless you’re an accountant, that is.

If you’re an accountant, January is the start of a whole different season reserved especially for you. The close of the holiday season means saying goodbye to holiday cheer, gift exchanges, and homemade cookies. Yes, January ushers in tax season – marked by colder temperatures (if you’re here in the Northeast), longer days, and lots of work. At the majority of accounting firms, it is not uncommon for an accountant’s work schedule to go from 45-50 hours per week up to 65-70 hours (or more) per week from January through April 15^th. If you’re an accountant at a Big Four Firm – you know this to be true. The expectation that you are required to work longer hours is generally accepted as a part of the industry culture. In addition, accountants need to complete billable hours – time that can be billed to a client. Because it’s impossible to bill every minute of an accountant’s day to billable time, an accountant might need to work an hour and a half in order to be able to charge one hour of billable time. What does this all add up to? Three and a half months of long days and nights spent at most firms. Most – but not all.

Here’s where RBT CPA’s is different. As the largest CPA firm in New York’s Hudson Valley, we reject the status quo and still produce stellar work for our clients. We start our busy season in the middle of January, and from the middle of January to the middle of February we cap our total hours worked at just 50. Then from mid-February to April 15^th the maximum number of hours a person is allowed to work gets capped at just 55 per week. At some other firms, 55 hours is the norm when it comes to a workweek. At RBT, a 55 hour work week is the exception for a short period of time.

Consider how valuable this work balance is when you factor in your annual salary working an average of 65 – 70 hour workweek versus a 40 – 55 hour workweek. When you do the math and break your salary down to an hourly wage, there is a sizeable earning difference between the two. At RBT, we believe a healthy, happy employee is one who has a life outside of work. We feel being able to spend invaluable time with your friends even during the busy season is key to maintaining your physical and emotional health.

Sounds too good to be true, but… it is! Contact Jclancy@rbtcpas.com to talk about opportunities to join the team.