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Wants tax reform

To the editor:

Like many small business owners, my success hinges on my industry expertise and commitment to my customer base. I have been in business since 1988, and in the last 30 years I would like to think I have learned a thing or two about running a company. Unfortunately, the last three decades have brought me no closer to understanding the U.S. tax code than I was when I first opened for business.

The current tax code is nearly 75,000 pages long and contains 2.4 million words. Even if I dedicated myself to reading every word of this bloated document, it would be nearly impossible for me to understand. It is complex and incredibly confusing. So much so that only accountants can successfully navigate its nuances. This is incredibly harmful to Iowa’s small business owners who are forced to hire tax experts while paying tax rates as high as 40 percent.

Something has to give. The tax code has not been updated in more than 30 years and it is high time Congress takes the initiative to simplify this behemoth. The 2016 election aligned the president with both houses of Congress. Thus, there has never been a better time to take action. Iowa’s small businesses are suffering, and elected officials such as Chuck Grassley have the power to help the entrepreneurs who keep the state’s economy strong.

Joe Martin

Clare

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