Why are small business taxes so high?

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by kimberly , in category: Taxation and Accounting , a year ago

1 answer

by elizabeth , a year ago

@kimberly 

Small business taxes can sometimes seem high due to several factors:

  1. Limited resources: Small businesses often have fewer resources compared to larger companies. They may not have access to the same economies of scale, which can increase their operational costs and make their tax burden relatively higher.
  2. Compliance costs: Small businesses may face additional costs associated with tax compliance. Filing taxes can be complex, and smaller businesses might lack the internal expertise or resources to navigate the intricate tax rules and regulations. They may need to hire professional tax advisors or accountants to ensure compliance, which adds to their overall tax costs.
  3. Lack of tax deductions and credits: Some tax deductions and credits available to larger corporations may not be accessible to small businesses. Consequently, small businesses are unable to offset their tax liability with these deductions and credits, resulting in a higher tax burden.
  4. Tax rates: The tax rates themselves can vary by jurisdiction. Small businesses may be subject to the same tax rates as larger corporations, even though they may have different revenue and profitability levels. This uniformity can disproportionately affect smaller enterprises.
  5. Social security and self-employment taxes: Small business owners are responsible for both the employer and employee portions of social security and Medicare taxes, commonly known as self-employment taxes. This can significantly increase their overall tax liability.


It's important to note that tax laws and regulations differ across countries and regions, so the specific reasons for high small business taxes may vary depending on the jurisdiction.