Sylvester Smith, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, released the following statement today in support of SB 490 and SB 560, legislation that would ease the financial burden on small, family businesses:
“When it comes to taxes, the deck is stacked against small, family businesses.
“Today, if you think your taxes are unfair, you have to find the money to pay them, anyway, before you’re allowed to appeal. On top of that, the state doesn’t have to prove you owe the money. The burden of proof is on you to prove you don’t. That’s not how our system is supposed to work. That’s why NFIB/Arkansas supports the Taxpayer Fairness Act, SB 490.
“SB 490 would level the playing field for small, family businesses and other taxpayers. Too often, taxpayers who believe they’re paying too much don’t have enough money left over to challenge the state. That’s just wrong, and it’s time the Legislature fixed it.
“SB 560 fixes a problem a lot of people outside the business community probably don’t know about. Right now, if a business donates its goods to charity, it’s still on the hook for the sales tax. Here’s an example: If there’s a tornado, and a store donates $5,000 worth of blankets, clothing and lanterns, the store would have to send the state the $500 in sales tax it would have collected if it had sold the merchandise instead.
“Put another way, existing state law penalizes businesses for helping their communities. That’s just wrong.
“Small business is the engine that drives our state’s economy. It’s time we treated our small businesses fairly and with respect.”
NFIB/Arkansas is the state’s leading small-business association with over 4,000 dues-paying members representing a cross section of the state’s economy. Learn more at www.NFIB.com/AR or follow @NFIB_AR on Twitter.
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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom
