Washington, Apr 17, 2012 -

Leading up to tomorrow’s hearing "The Tax Outlook for Small Businesses: What’s on the Horizon?” American small businesses shared their
 thoughts abouthow federal taxes, including new ObamaCare taxes and 2013 increases, are affecting their ability to grow and create jobs.

We are hesitant to hire new employees for fear of what new tax burdens await us with the expiration of older tax law and the new health care laws coming. We are concerned that these new issues may be the ones that push us out of business. There are many, many small businesses like ours that contribute to the health of the economy of our community. If we go out of business, many more people and businesses are hurt than just our own.

 Wendy Koller (Fort Smith, AR)
Koller Moving and Storage
4/17/12

I am holding off hiring employees and acquiring equipment until the Supreme Court (hopefully) strikes down the Health Care Act in full. Also, the expiration  of the tax cuts from the 2000's will have a tremendously negative effect on my business, as well as many other businesses I know of. How are even small companies supposed to plan andbudget for the future, when Congress and the Executive Branch cannot operate on a budget?

Jim Acher (Big Lake, AK)
Northern Pioneer Helicopters
4/16/12

We are struggling to recover from the recession and the government needs to realize that small business is the ones keeping the country moving.  Any additional taxes will only stop any chance of a recovery and they need to realize we need every penny to increase staff which puts people back to work!

Debbie Peacock (Mesa, AZ)
Fabricating Distributor
4/14/12

This administration has convinced a significant segment of voters that small business owners who "make" more than $250k per year are wealthy. But, they fail to  realize that the mythical $250k in my bank account on December 31 is needed to make payroll, rent, and buy inventory on January 1. Just like it was on June 30, or August 24, or any other day of the year. Except, on December 31, the government confiscates 30%.

Will Leaman (Roanoke, VA)
BCDS
4/16/12

President Obama's latest tax proposal includes changes which will specifically harm ESOP [Employee Stock Ownership Plan] Subchapter S companies. These changes will directly harm many middle class people. ESOP's have been proven to be an equitable way to engage people at all levels of a company in economic success. ESOP's have been proven to be more-resistant to layoffs than other companies. Why would we implement tax proposals that hurt the poor and middle class and which are anti-employment? Put it another way - if these proposals pass, we will likely need to  lay off 10 - 15% of our workforce.

Donald Waltzer (Rochester, NY)
H&C Tool Supply
4/16/12

I am a new start up business; it is extremely scary starting a business not knowing what the future will bring. We would like to hire more employees but it is hard to feel that things are stable enough that we can maintain their employment. If we are able to supply good jobs and we turn around and get hit with all these other costs, Healthcare, (which continues to escalate) taxes on small business, (which we have no clue where it could end)…all of these  issues place a damper on getting to excited about following our dreams when it seems to always be taken away from us for one reason of another. The policies implemented the pastfew years have precipitated this thinking.

Grant Kohler (Midway, UT)
Heber Valley Artisan Cheese
4/14/12

Increased taxes, regulations and health care costs make it increasingly difficult to the point that there's no sense in running a business. Whenever the  economy recovers and business picks up, I'll likely keep my staffing as low as possible by using more sophisticated software and outsourcing to Eastern  European companies to keep my costs low enough to afford the software.

Barry Lewis (Mechanicsville, MD)
Lewis Engineering Associates, Inc.
4/14/12

The current economic policies have just about destroyed the construction industry, including remodeling & new residential construction. New taxes & massive increases in new regulations continue to destroy the economy.

Robert Hellebuyck (Kansas City, MO)
Standard Improvement Co.
4/14/12

My business requires constant capital investment to keep up with changing technology. The Obama tax increases directly affect my ability to invest in equipment and prevent me from hiring people to expand my business.

Nathan Wicker (Dallas, TX)
Zelva Holdings
4/13/12