How can lawmakers help small businesses? Fix the tax code

A great deal has changed since my mother and I starting building chairs in my garage in 1989.

What started as a dream with just two employees has blossomed into a strong and thriving business that has become a leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs and office accessories to large companies throughout North America.

We’ve accomplished so much over our last 27 years, but we still face the same burdens placed on our operations by America’s outdated tax system.

Our family business has expanded year after year, and we have grown to the point now where we employ more than 140 people across the country.

Small businesses like mine create jobs and stimulate local economies, but we’re forced to deal with a taxation system that is at odds with our success.

Not only are we faced with tax rates close to 40 percent, we also have to dedicate time and resources to figuring out how to navigate this antiquated code.

It should not take a team of accountants working so many hours simply to ensure that we don’t get audited.

It’s especially unfair that my income is almost taxed twice due to pass-through taxation.

I fear that, in this increasingly competitive economy, entrepreneurs will be held back due to our harmful tax code and will not be able to reach their full potential.

We need a less complicated system that helps to foster success. It’s time for a complete overhaul of the tax code.

Businesses from all industries, ranging from small operations to large corporations, would undoubtedly benefit from a simplified tax system void of many headaches business owners must endure today.

Our economy is not growing as fast as it should, and I believe that this slump has a lot to do with the way we tax businesses.

Luckily, it appears our elected officials in Washington are hearing our complaints and may even take action by next year.

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, recently announced that Congress will release a blueprint for comprehensive tax reform this year with the hopes that legislation could be enacted by 2017.

Brady stated that the priorities for tax reform will include introducing flatter and simpler tax rates, eliminating loopholes and creating more competitive rates for all businesses.

This is the type of thinking that we need from Congress. All Americans should come out in full force in support of Brady’s efforts and encourage the rest of our lawmakers to do the same.

We cannot wait another 30 years for members of Congress to change the system. We can barely wait another day.

We need a tax code that allows businesses to compete here and abroad. I want to pay my fair share, but I don’t want taxes to jeopardize my company.

We need comprehensive change now. I hope that Brady continues to lead the charge and gets reform across the finish line soon.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 6:31 PM with the headline "How can lawmakers help small businesses? Fix the tax code."