Topics:
August 14, 2024
New NFIB Ohio Survey: Inflation, Taxes, and Uncertainty Dominate Concerns for Main Street
- The “Cost of Health Insurance” ranks as the most burdensome problem for small businesses in Ohio and nationally.
- “Employee Turnover” ranks 26th in Ohio and 42nd nationally and “Managing Employees (e.g., performance, absenteeism, appearance, etc.)” ranks 34th in Ohio versus 43rd
- “Workers’ Compensation” ranks 46th in Ohio compared to 29th “Poor Earnings (profits)” ranks 41st in Ohio compared to 31st nationally.
- Unchanged since 1986, the “Cost of Health Insurance” remains the number onechronic issue for small business owners.
- The “Cost of Supplies/Inventories” moved up in importance from ranking 12th in 2020 to its current second place ranking – a direct result of historic inflation over the last two years.
- The percentage of owners who find it a critical problem increased from 9% in 2020 to 20% in 2024.
- The “Cost of Natural Gas, Propane, Gasoline, Diesel, Fuel Oil” is the 6th most severe problem cited by small business owners. Nearly one-in-four report it as critical.
- Similarly, “Electricity Costs (rates)” is a top issue for small business owners, ranking 10th in 2024 and reported critical by 16%.
- Increasing in importance from 2020, “Interest Rates,” topped the list by rising 43 positions from a rank of 56th in 2020 to 13th in 2024.
- The most severely ranked tax problem is “Federal Taxes on Business Income.” It ranks 4th, down one position from 2020. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefited most small businesses, but many still find their federal tax burden a critical problem.
- A quarter of small business owners think it is a critical problem, five points higher than four years ago.
- If Congress lets the Small Business Deduction expire at the end of 2025, it will result in a massive tax hike on small businesses and will likely exacerbate the federal tax issue.
- “State Taxes on Business Income,” ranks as the second most severe tax issue. Twenty-two percent report it as critical, up from 19% four years ago.
- “Uncertainty over Economic Conditions” and “Uncertainty over Government Actions” both moved up in importance from 2020.
- Small business owners rank “Uncertainty over Economic Conditions” as the 3rd most severe problem facing their business up from its ranking of 9th in 2020.
- Twenty-two percent of small business owners report it as critical.
- “Uncertainty over Government Actions” ranks 8th and is critical for 23%.
- “Locating Qualified Employees” ranks 5th and is critical for 28%.
State:
Get to know NFIB
NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.
Related Articles

February 6, 2025
Montana Comment on Latest NFIB Jobs Report
Legislative initiatives could help improve employment picture
Read More

February 6, 2025
Unfilled Job Openings Continue to Hamper Main Street
Alaska Legislature must be careful not to exacerbate problem with higher pa…
Read More

February 6, 2025
Oregon Comment on Latest NFIB Jobs Report
Proposal to gamble the state’s UI Trust Fund is the worst message to send…
Read More

February 6, 2025
Washington Comment on Latest NFIB Jobs Report
Legislature not helping matters by making the cost of labor higher
Read More