VICTORIES
Business Equipment Tax Relief
NFIB won ability to write-off the expense of small business equipment purchases which in tax years 2012 & 2013 means a $500,000 write-off on Maine taxes instead of only $25,000 (avoiding depreciation and taxation of remaining $475,000).
Estate Tax Relief
NFIB secured higher threshold of $2 million instead of $1 million for income excluded from the Maine estate tax starting in 2013, and a progressive tax rate structure for estate relief above $2 million.
Lower Income Tax Rates
NFIB won lower top income tax rate of 7.95% instead of 8.5% starting in 2013; No more state individual income alternative minimum tax starting in 2012.
Business Ombudsman Help
Won major reforms of regulation in Maine to help companies resolve problems with state agencies, reduced-penalty environmental audits, cost-benefit analysis of some proposed environmental rules.
Independent Contractor Classification Reform
NFIB obtained a uniform standard for determining who is an independent contractor under workers compensation and unemployment insurance laws, eliminating confusion and bringing close alignment with the IRS test.
Health Insurance Rate Reform
NFIB worked with state officials on changes to the 2011 state health insurance reform law that will lessen significant adverse effects on premium costs of conformity with the federal Affordable Care Act.