The Sconi

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a leading advocate for small businesses in Wisconsin, has presented findings from a new survey revealing widespread support for the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction. This tax benefit, part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts to make it permanent.

The survey indicates that more than 80% of Americans believe it is crucial for the federal government to support small businesses. A significant majority across Republicans, Democrats, and Independents agree that the 20% deduction should remain part of the tax code. Almost all respondents expressed concern about the potential expiration of the deduction, with 93% asserting that its permanency should be a congressional priority.

"This research reinforces the high stakes of this Congressional tax debate," stated NFIB President Brad Close. "Americans recognize the immense value of the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction and are concerned about the devastating consequences should Congress fail to act. NFIB strongly urges Congress to make the deduction permanent and deliver the certainty that small businesses need to continue to grow, hire, and give back to their communities."

The sentiment is echoed by NFIB Wisconsin State Director Bill G. Smith, who remarked, “Wisconsinites know that small businesses create jobs and strengthen our communities. It’s time for Congress to make the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent and help Main Streets nationwide grow and thrive.”

Survey results show that 83% of Americans find federal support for small businesses to be important. Support for maintaining the tax deduction is particularly strong among those who see small businesses as crucial to the economy, with 77% agreeing that the deduction levels the playing field between small and large corporations. Additionally, 91% of respondents indicated that small businesses depend on the deduction.

The poll was conducted with a representative sample of 2,000 American voters, including an oversample of 500 small business owners, by Seven Letter Insight for NFIB. It was carried out from March 21 to March 25, 2025, with a margin of error of +/- 2.0%.

The expiration of the tax deduction without Congressional intervention poses potential financial challenges to small businesses, which could face tax increases, affecting their growth capacity and wage-raising ability for employees.