NFIB: Small businesses want simpler code, lower taxes

“This survey clearly shows that small-business owners believe the tax code is too complicated, too politically motivated, and inconsistent,” added Chris Whitcomb, NFIB’s tax counsel. “It is no wonder that more than half of small businesses believe that simplifying the tax code should be a top priority.” 

{mosads}Top officials on both sides of the aisle are pushing to overhaul the tax code, with House GOP leaders having promised prime legislative real estate, H.R. 1, to a reform package that Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) has vowed to pass out of his panel. 

Senate Democrats have also considered placing instructions in their upcoming budget that could pave the way for tax reform. 

Still, the two parties remain divided over whether tax reform should help eat into deficits. 

During last year’s “fiscal cliff” debate, Republicans said allowing individual tax rates to rise on the highest earners would hurt small businesses, many of whom pay through the individual code. Democrats countered that a higher top rate would only affect a small percentage of businesses. 

In the end, the fiscal-cliff deal allowed the top rate to rise from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. 

NFIB also opposed any federal effort to raise the minimum wage, and was a key plaintiff in the legal challenge to the Democratic healthcare overhaul.