Lawmakers Discuss Bills to Make Pennsylvania’s Small Businesses Great Again

November 21, 2019

HARRISBURG – Reps. Seth Grove (R-York), Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) and Jim Cox (R-Bucks/Lancaster) were joined by advocates to discuss a package of legislation to put small businesses on equal footing when it comes to taxes.

“This package of bills would remove unfair tax obstacles small businesses must face,” Grove said. “Small businesses are pillars of economy, creating 65% of jobs in the Commonwealth. These bills would allow them to compete effectively, so they can grow more jobs for current and future generations.”

Grove’s House Bill 1603 would allow small businesses to take advantage of a net operating loss deduction similar to that which is currently afforded to corporate taxpayers. Specifically, small business would be able deduct losses recorded in one year against other classes of income recorded in the tax year.

Cox’s House Bill 105 would remove a barrier to job creation in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania small businesses that engage in like-kind exchanges – such as trading one parcel of land for another of comparable value – currently are taxed for those transactions. Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that taxes such exchanges. Cox’s bill would eliminate this burden and spur economic growth by bringing the Commonwealth in line with every other state.

“We want our tax policies to encourage business growth and job creation,” Cox said. “This is an issue of tax fairness. We want Pennsylvania job creators to be able to compete with businesses in other states on a level playing field. These are the kinds of policies that can determine whether a new job is created in our Commonwealth and a Pennsylvanian is able to feed his or her family.”

Under Nelson’s House Bill 333, small businesses would be given the option of deducting the full purchase price of qualifying equipment purchased during the tax year, up to $1 million. The deduction is phased out if the total amount of equipment purchased is over $2.5 million.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we should do everything we can to remove barriers to success,” Nelson said. “Last session, my legislation passed the House, but didn’t clear the Senate. I’m hopeful we can get this bill over the end line this time so that small businesses can receive the same state tax credits for equipment purchases as large corporations.”

Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com