Cornyn Announces Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights in Houston

HOUSTON — In advance of Tax Day, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today announced the introduction of comprehensive legislation to assist small business owners and taxpayers in cutting through IRS red tape. Sen. Cornyn’s Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2012 would lower compliance burdens for taxpayers, strengthen taxpayer protections, compensate taxpayers for IRS abuses, and improve taxpayer access to the tax court.

“With Tax Day fast approaching, Americans are being reminded of just how complex, illogical, and inefficient our federal tax system really is. Small business owners face an especially crushing burden of paperwork, but they lack the key financial and legal resources that multinational corporations do.

“Now more than ever, with an economy struggling to recover and increased tax burdens from the 2010 health care law around the corner, we need to ensure our small businesses are spending more time creating jobs and opportunity and less time dealing with the IRS and an archaic tax code.”

Sen. Cornyn announced the SBTBOR in Houston at the locally owned family business Forge USA, a metal forging manufacturer in Houston for more than 50 years. Forge USA owners endured significant financial burdens and a tough audit experience. Sen. Cornyn was joined by several business leaders, including former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson; incoming Chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Marc Rodriguez; as well as representatives from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Texas Association of Business, and the Greater Houston Partnership.

A one-pager with further details concerning the Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights can be found here.

Statements of support for the SBTBOR:

“Sen. Cornyn’s efforts to improve the rights of small business will mean that business owners will be able to spend more time growing their businesses and hiring more workers and hopefully less time talking to the tax man. On behalf of the workers and employees of Forge USA -- thank you, Senator Cornyn.” – Wade and Jerry Brougher, owners of Forge USA

“I’m especially pleased that Senator Cornyn’s legislation is focusing on a sector of the economy that is too often taken for granted – small businesses. Small businesses grapple with high costs of tax compliance, but do not have teams of in-house tax lawyers. They face a different reality than the Fortune 500 when under an IRS examination. Senator Cornyn’s bill would provide meaningful tools to small business owners that will help them lower the costs and burdens of tax compliance across the board.” – Mark Everson, former IRS Commissioner and alliantgroup current vice chairman

“Hispanic-owned firms are the fastest growing segment of business across the country. We applaud you for recognizing this fact and, as a result, taking the initiative to provide sensible solutions for the USHCC constituency of Hispanic enterprises. The four pillars of the SBTBOR – lowering compliance burden for taxpayers, strengthening taxpayer protections, compensating taxpayers for IRS abuses, and improving taxpayer access to the judicial system – are crucial to the efficiency of small business, and we hope that your Senate colleagues join in your efforts to pass sensible, pro-growth legislation.” – Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Marc Rodriguez, Incoming Chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Nina Vaca, Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce