On the recordMarch 3, 2011
I rise in strong support of H.R. 4, the Small Business Paperwork Reduction Mandate Elimination Act of 2011. There's not a single issue that I hear more about from Washington State businesses than the 1099 requirement that made its way into last year's health care law. Not only is this provision an administrative nightmare for employers, it has the potential to devastate small businesses. In fact, NFIB estimates that the average business will have to submit at least 95 forms under the new requirement, a costly increase from the current handful that's required today. Even tax consultants have said this 1099 is more onerous than any tax that the IRS could collect from small businesses. At a time when our economy is struggling, jobs are scarce and unemployment continues to hover near 10 percent, the last thing we should do is make it more difficult on our employers, particularly the small businesses that make up the backbone of our economy and create most of the jobs in America. The 1099 is just one in a number of policies that have created a climate of fear and uncertainty for the private sector.
