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No Death Tax 2017-10-31T20:58:16+00:00

What is the Death Tax?

The death tax is imposed on individuals trying to pass on their life savings to the next generation. The tax hurts those who are considered “asset-rich, but cash-poor.” For family businesses this creates a threat to the future of the business when Washington demands 40 percent as payment for the tax. Even before the owner passes, the estate tax creates a significant planning and mitigation burden on the family over the span of the owner’s life to keep the business intact when the tax bill comes due.

See how the death tax affects these family businesses

Imperial Lithographic 2017-10-23T18:49:30+00:00
Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s personal death tax story 2017-10-23T18:48:09+00:00
Hancock Lumber 2017-10-23T18:43:39+00:00
Reliable Contracting 2017-10-23T18:41:00+00:00
Grande Harvest Wines 2017-10-23T18:39:34+00:00
Trump in Harrisburg, PA on repealing the death tax 2017-10-23T18:37:32+00:00
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Quick facts about the Death Tax

Agree or Disagree? The death tax should be abolished.

76%

A recent NPR/Ipsos poll conducted in April 2017 found 76% of respondents agreed with the statement “The death tax should be abolished.” When broken down by party affiliation, all three strongly supported repeal.

The death tax disproportionately hurts family farms.

13%

Less than 1% of the US populations is made up of farmers, but the 13% of estates contain farm assets. The land rich but cash poor nature of farming makes it harder for farms to survive the death tax without taking out huge loans to pay the tax.

The once a generation timing of the death tax makes annual statistics misleading, by looking at a larger time frame we can see the true impact of the death tax on family businesses and farms.

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More than 102,000 closely held businesses have been forced to pay the death tax since 1995.

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More than 36,000 family farms have been forced to pay the death tax since 1995.

Death Tax Facts: Destroying Jobs and the American Dream

Democrats support protecting family businesses and workers from the negative effects of the death tax.

I am not one who says that [the estate tax] is a great thing and we must have it in place. In one particular area I think there is great resonance for eliminating this. That is, that any organic business–a farm, a small business, and frankly a large business–that would have to be broken up because of the extent of the tax should not be. A business is an ongoing organism. It employs sometimes 10 people and sometimes 10,000 people. To have to break that business up to pay any tax, to me, is counterproductive.

Senator Chuck Schumer, New York - Democrat

“I have made my decision on the upcoming estate tax repeal vote. I will cast my vote to end this tax, and I will do it [in] the name of issues that Democrats hold dear. Democrats believe in standing up for working families. No one will suffer more than the employees of family-owned companies in this state that will break up, or sell out to larger corporations, in order to satisfy their estate tax obligations.”

Senator Ron Wyden, Oregon - Democrat

“It’s time we permanently repeal the tax on possessions that people leave to their children.”

“Even though paying down the national debt is one of my top priorities, I could not support an amendment that does not reflect my position of support for total repeal of the estate tax. I opposed this amendment because the revenue offset did not meet this criterion.”

Senator Bill Nelson, Florida - Democrat

“I believe we need to repeal the estate tax. It is bad for businesses. It’s bad for workers and new job creation. And it’s bad for our communities who are watching their local, family-owned businesses get swallowed up by large corporations.”

Senator Patty Murray, Washington - Democrat

“Let me be clear.  I am no fan of the estate tax.  I understand how hard families work to provide opportunities and a better future for their children.  Transferring assets from generation to generation motivates families to work even harder.  It is unfair to place unreasonable burdens on small businesses and families seeking to provide for future generations.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein, California - Democrat

“I applaud lawmakers for repealing Virginia’s estate tax. This action protects family-owned small businesses and farms.”

Senator Mark Warner (While Governor), Virginia - Democrat

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The Death Tax is killing family businesses

Help us kill this terrible tax once and for all!

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