Changes in the legislature brought on by the 2012 election likely means small business must be on alert for proposals that could affect business’ bottom line. With a two-thirds majority in both houses, the majority party can easily pass tax increases and tax credit changes.

There has been much talk following the election that property tax laws for business property could be changed. SBAC has been a leader in protecting the business community from increased property taxes. We point out that even small businesses would be affected by such a change in the law. Businesses that lease their offices or storefronts often sign triple net leases, which requires that property tax increases on the property owner are passed on to the small business tenant.

We also have sponsored studies that show that many small businesses that are women and minority owned would be particularly hard hit by property tax changes.

While protecting small business in the debate over a “split roll property tax, SBAC will also be keeping an eye on other important issues to small business such as workers comp, regulations, CEQA reform, and tax changes among other issues.

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