ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Certainty in key areas like taxes, regulation and healthcare would go a long way in providing relief to small business owners.
These key issues are top of mind for small business owners as they gear up for a new year. Visit NFIB.com/Advocacy to follow developments on these issues in 2015.
HEALTHCARE
No.1
The increasing cost of healthcare has been small business owners’ No. 1 problem since 1986.
The Affordable Care Act has increased the cost and complications of having and providing health insurance. Particular items of concern include:
The employer mandate
30-hour workweek designation for full-time employees
Individual mandate
Small business health insurance tax
TAX REFORM Small business owners shoulder a heavy tax burden.
1.7 billion to 1.8 billion Hours small businesses spend on tax compliance annually
$18 billion to $19 billion
Amount small businesses spend on compliance costs annually Key reforms that would provide much-needed relief for business owners include:
• Lowering tax rates • Simplifying the tax code
BURDENSOME REGULATIONS Overreach at all levels continues to be a major concern because of the compliance burdens and increased costs caused by unnecessary regulations.
3,348
Federal regulations in the pipeline, with nearly 1/3 impacting small businesses directly
Small business owners are looking for Congress to: Make regulatory agencies—like the National Labor Relations Board and the Environmental Protection Agency—accountable for their rulings. Institute requirements that these agencies show publicly the economic impact rules have on small business.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Recovery from the recession has been sluggish nationwide, which cripples small business owners’ ability to make bold movements toward growing their businesses.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 2 points in December 2014.
There’s potential for more political certainty in 2015 with more business-friendly legislators winning their midterm election races.
NFIB.com/TopIssues
These key issues are top of mind for small business owners as they gear up for a new year. Visit NFIB.com/Advocacy to follow developments on these issues in 2015.
HEALTHCARE
No.1
The increasing cost of healthcare has been small business owners’ No. 1 problem since 1986.
The Affordable Care Act has increased the cost and complications of having and providing health insurance. Particular items of concern include:
The employer mandate
30-hour workweek designation for full-time employees
Individual mandate
Small business health insurance tax
TAX REFORM Small business owners shoulder a heavy tax burden.
1.7 billion to 1.8 billion Hours small businesses spend on tax compliance annually
$18 billion to $19 billion
Amount small businesses spend on compliance costs annually Key reforms that would provide much-needed relief for business owners include:
• Lowering tax rates • Simplifying the tax code
BURDENSOME REGULATIONS Overreach at all levels continues to be a major concern because of the compliance burdens and increased costs caused by unnecessary regulations.
3,348
Federal regulations in the pipeline, with nearly 1/3 impacting small businesses directly
Small business owners are looking for Congress to: Make regulatory agencies—like the National Labor Relations Board and the Environmental Protection Agency—accountable for their rulings. Institute requirements that these agencies show publicly the economic impact rules have on small business.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Recovery from the recession has been sluggish nationwide, which cripples small business owners’ ability to make bold movements toward growing their businesses.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 2 points in December 2014.
There’s potential for more political certainty in 2015 with more business-friendly legislators winning their midterm election races.
NFIB.com/TopIssues
