With Tax Day in the rearview mirror, small business owners are turning their attention to what’s next—particularly the looming expiration of key provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). In a recent opinion column in The Gazette, IFA Board Member and multi-unit franchisee Jerry Akers explains why making these tax cuts permanent is essential for franchise growth, local job creation, and the future of family-owned businesses.

Jerry, who owns 33 Great Clips and four The Joint Chiropractic locations across Iowa and Nebraska with his wife and daughters, was recently invited by Sen. Joni Ernst to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. In the column, he details how provisions like the Section 199A pass-through deduction and bonus depreciation have given him the ability to invest in equipment, technology, and team members—supporting both expansion and enhanced employee benefits.

He also shares how these tax tools help level the playing field with larger corporations and support long-term goals, like passing the business on to the next generation. Jerry warns that without action from Congress, the expiration of these provisions could result in one of the largest tax hikes in U.S. history—threatening the viability of many small and franchised businesses.

From estate tax reform to pro-employee policies like “No Tax on Tips,” Jerry’s column highlights how smart tax policy fuels growth and protects the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising.

Read the full column at The Gazette here: https://www.thegazette.com/guest-columnists/dont-raise-taxes-on-small-businesses/