NFIB Indiana State Director Natalie Carroll spoke before the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee regarding Senate Bill 259. Carroll described how an NFIB member and small business owner in Indiana was fined $500 for not filing a zero-income report for a business partner living out of state. She noted that several tax preparation software programs and some certified public accountants did not flag this requirement.
Carroll told the committee, “This wasn’t just a one-off situation. In fact, the fiscal impact of this bill shows that in one year, the state collected $900,500 in fees that had been imposed on Hoosier small businesses. That means that 19,000 small businesses were fined $500 each.”
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) supports Senate Bill 259 because it would change the tax code to remove what it describes as an unnecessary fine. The group argues that eliminating this penalty would help create a more favorable environment for small businesses in Indiana.
“While the Committee isn’t voting on SB 259 today, Indiana small businesses are hopeful that lawmakers will prioritize advancing this legislation and make a positive difference for the small business community that is so important to our state,” Carroll said.
