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NASE Survey Results Topics that Are Important to Small-Business Owners Here’s a snapshot of how micro-business owners feel about the hot topics of the day.
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How Often Do You Use Credit Cards? (April 2008)
| Respondents: 720 | | As a micro-business owner, your cash flow plays an essential role in your
ability to address the changing and growing needs of your business. Often times,
entrepreneurs with restrictive cash flow will utilize credit cards to keep their
business moving forward. Credit cards are also widely used by all consumers to
purchase goods and services. However, as we know, the majority of credit cards
carry high interest rates and a host of other fees that can be detrimental to an
individual and a micro-business. Tell us more about how you utilize credit in
your business. | | | 1. How many credit card accounts do you currently have open? | 12% | None | | 18% | 1 | | 23% | 2 | | 18% | 3 | | 29% | 5 or more | | | | 2. How often do you utilize credit cards to help with your cash flow
needs in your business? | 22% | Very often | | 25% | Somewhat often | | 24% | Very rarely | | 27% | Not at all | | 03% | No opinion | | | | 3. How often do you utilize credit cards for personal use (other than
business)? | 23% | Very often | | 31% | Somewhat often | | 33% | Very rarely | | 12% | Not at all | | 01% | No opinion | | | | 4. What is the most burdensome aspect of utilizing credit cards to assist
with cash flow and/or finance your business? | 50% | Interest rates | | 07% | Annual fees | | 05% | Late fees | | 05% | Payment schedules | | 04% | Lack of clear terms and conditions | | 05% | Other | | 23% | No opinion | | | | 5. Please indicate whether you are in favor of or oppose the following
proposals that have been suggested to reform the credit industry. | | | | | Favor | Oppose | Do Not Know | | 1. | Require
credit card companies to give 45 day notice of any interest rate increase. | 93% | 00% | 07% | | 2. | Give
cardholders the right to cancel their card and pay off their existing balance at
the existing interest rate and repayment schedule if they get hit with an
interest rate hike. | 94% | 01% | 05% | | 3. | Prohibit
card companies from arbitrarily changing the terms of their contract with a
cardholder. | 93% | 01% | 06% | | 4. | Gives
cardholders time to pay their bills by requiring card companies to mail billing
statements 25 calendar days before the due date (14 days is the current
norm). | 83% | 04% | 13% | | 5. | Prohibits
card companies from charging late fees when a cardholder presents proof of
mailing his/her bill within 7 days of the due date. | 92% | 02% | 06% | | 6. | Requires
card companies to offer consumers the option of having a fixed credit limit that
cannot be exceeded. | 85% | 03% | 12% | |
Survey Results
- Self-Employed and the Economy
The nation’s smallest businesses are still feeling negative effects of the economy, including cash flow issues for business and family, according to a new survey by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). Three-quarters of the self-employed and micro-businesses owners say their company provides the main source of income in their household.
- Can You Keep Your Health Plan Once the Health Reform Law Kicks In?
One big promise made during the reform debate was that you will be able to keep the health plan you currently have, if you like it. To follow up on this promise, the Administration recently issues new regulations on "grandfathered" or existing health plans. The NASE recently conducted a survey of micro-business owners to determine their perspective on these rules and whether they think they will be able to keep their existing health plan post-reform.
- U.S. Energy Policy (June 2010)
Whether you open a local or national newspaper or turn on the TV or radio, we cannot escape the daily news coverage of our nation's worst oil spill which continues to rage on in the Gulf. In light of this environmental disaster, the NASE sought the opinion of its membership on U.S. energy policy and what key proposals should be the focus of policymakers.
- Increased Tax Regulation on Small Business (May 2010)
Many of the nation’s entrepreneurs are about to become more familiar with the IRS. According to a new law set to go into effect in 2012, business owners must report annually every payment for goods or services over $600, utilizing IRS Form 1099. A new survey by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) found that the average self-employed and micro-business (those with fewer than 10 employees) currently issues two Form 1099 per year. Under the new law, the same business will have to issue roughly 27 reports, mostly to large corporations.
- The Clock is Ticking on Health Reform: What Do You Think? (March 2010)
Companies with fewer than 10 employees – micro-businesses – are asking Congress to keep in mind that a big part of being able to create jobs and grow their companies depends largely on their ability to pay for health coverage. Self-employed business owners say that access and choice of providers/benefits is less important to their businesses than lower bottom line costs. With the clock ticking on a final vote in Congress on health reform, the online poll conducted by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) received over 1,200 responses regarding the concerns of the self-employed about health reform.
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