Victory roundup includes no new taxes or healthcare mandates.
Legislative Session Ends with Small Business Wins
The Alabama 2016 Legislative Session ended on
Wednesday, May 4, and small businesses came away with several victories. Here’s
a look at some of the key wins.
Taxes and Mandates Blocked
Small business owners can breathe a sigh of
relief that several harmful measures didn’t pass. Specifically:
- No new taxes
- No new healthcare mandates
- No state or local minimum wage
increase - No ban the box law on public or
private job applications
Tax Conformity
Senate Bill 263, sponsored by Sen. Quinton Ross
(Montgomery), passed the House on the last day of session. Signed into law by
Gov. Bentley, the bill will align state income tax return due dates with
federal income tax return due dates, which is recommended by the NFIB/Alabama
Tax Advisory Committee in order to save business owners time and the cost of
fees.
Health Savings Account
House Bill 109, sponsored by Rep. Becky Nordgren
(Gadsden) and Sen. Paul Sanford (Huntsville) for the past two years, passed
late in session. The new law provides a state income tax deduction for
contributions to health savings accounts, which 76 percent of NFIB/Alabama
members said they supported on the 2015 member ballot. This deduction will
benefit both employers and employees by providing a tool to help manage
healthcare costs.
Apprenticeships
Senate Bill 90 sponsored by NFIB member Sen.
Arthur Orr (Decatur) was signed into law. The legislation will provide a tax
credit of up to $1,000 annually for up to four years for employers sponsoring
an apprentice, which 73 percent of members support. Apprenticeships will be
limited to 5 per company.
Small Business Tax Credits
House Bill 36, sponsored by NFIB member Rep.
Kyle South (Fayette), received final passage in April, and Gov. Bentley signed
it into law. Under HB 35, businesses with 75 or fewer employees would receive a
$1,500 tax credit for creating a job that pays at least $40,000 per year.
