The National Association for the Self-Employed realizes that the most important aspect of advocating on behalf of the self-employed is listening to the true-life experiences of self-employed individuals like you. Therefore, the NASE has developed this area of the Legislative Action Center to allow you to tell us your micro-business story.

• Job Creation and the Economy

  With unemployment remaining high, policymakers have turned their eye to small business as the sector to boost our economy and create jobs.  Yet, many business owners, especially the self-employed and micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees), feel that expanding in this current economic climate is a big risk and one they are not sure they want to take.  Many have experienced sluggish sales, diminished revenue, and access to credit hard to come by, leaving them to make tough decisions regarding their business.

  What do you think needs to be done to improve our economy?  What would encourage you to expand your business and hire additional workers?  Should Congress and the Administration be focused on encouraging existing businesses to expand or should they be urging laid off workers to enter self-employment? 

• Making the Tax Treatment of Health Care Costs Fair for All Businesses

  Do you realize as a self-employed individual you pay 15.3 % in taxes on your health insurance premiums? Did you know you are the only segment of the business population that pays this extra tax on health insurance?A sole proprietor paying $7,000 annually for health insurance is also paying $1,071 in extra self-employment taxes because they are unable to deduct their health costs as a business expense on their Schedule C tax form.  All other businesses get this benefit.

   

  CALCULATION:  Annual cost of health premiums X  15.3% = Amount in extra taxes

   

  Tell the NASE how much in extra taxes you are paying  and what you could do with that extra money.  Why do you think it is important to include equalizing the tax treatment of health costs for all businesses in health reform?

• Health Reform: What do you think?

  Congress is debating health care reform as we speak.  What do you think of the proposals they have put forth to reform our health care system?  Do you think enough is being done to lower health costs for the self-employed and micro-businesses?  What is most important to you, your business and your family--lower costs or better coverage?

• Mandating Health Coverage: Do you think all Americans should be required to have insurance?

  As part of health reform, Congress and the Administration want to mandate that all Americans be required to purchase coverage.  There will be a tax or fine for those that go without.  Additionally, Congress has also included an employer mandate, requiring businesses above a certain size (above $750,000 in payroll or more than 50 employees) to provide group coverage to their workers and pay for at minimum 50% of the cost of that coverage.

  What are your thoughts on both the individual mandate and the employer mandate?

   

• Tax Compliance for Micro-Businesses - Proposals to Increase Tax Compliance of Self-Employed

  The issue of complexity and inequity within the tax code has consistently been a top concern for our nation’s self-employed. Congress is poised this year to debate simplifying the tax code and proposals to increase tax compliance. Tell us your experience with complying with the tax code.

• Retirement Security - Saving for Your Retirement

  The rate of savings in America has decreased substantially since 1986.The current personal savings rate is approximately 4% of disposable income. Are you saving enough for your retirement? What suggestions do you have for changes to retirement plan options and savings incentives that would help you save more?

• Regulatory Affairs - The Regulatory Burden on Micro-Businesses

  The NASE is working hard to alleviate the burden of onerous federal regulations on the self-employed and micro-business owners. Please tell your story about how federal and state regulations affect your business. What regulations affecting your business are the most burdensome? Has there been a significant monetary cost to your business due to regulatory compliance issues?

• Small Business Access to Loans and Credit

  It's not easy for the over 22 million self-employed business owners in our nation to gain access to the financing they need to manage and grow their business.   Tell us what your experience has been in obtaining financing to start or grow your micro-business. 

• Worker Classification - Independent Contractor vs. Employee

  In today's workplace, there has been an increasing emphasis on independent business relationships. More and more, independent entrepreneurs seek our individual contract, apply their expertise and move on to the next opportunity. The members of this new workforce are often described as Independent Contractors. If you utilized independent contractors, have you had problems with the IRS's unclear classification of an independent contractor? If so, how has it affected your business?

• Micro-Business Issues - Other issues that affect your micro-business

  The NASE would like you to tell us your small business story on issues affecting your micro-business that may not be included in an exhibited category.