The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Indiana’s leading small business advocacy organization, balloted Indiana small business owners on property tax reform. Small employers oppose any legislation that would result in shifting the tax burden to small businesses, whether it:

• Eliminates or reduces property taxes and shifts the tax burden to a sales tax on services, or
• Provides tax relief for some or all homeowners and shifts the burden to commercial and agricultural taxpayers

“Our Indiana small business owners have made it clear – they do not support property tax reform that would result in shifting the tax burden to small businesses,” said Natalie Robinson, NFIB Indiana State Director. “Owners are concerned that providing property tax relief would ultimately shift that tax burden onto them on top of inflation and the soaring costs of goods and services. Now is not the time to increase taxes on Indiana’s Main Street.”

If the tax burden is shifted to commercial and agriculture payers or through a sales tax, it would result in disproportionate tax increases which would be passed on to consumers. Small employers are also concerned that a sales tax on services would fall on small businesses since select white-collar service sectors would likely be granted an exemption such as healthcare and legal services.