CALL TO ACTION: Stop the Commercial Rent Tax at the Small Business Commission Meeting on June 28, 2010!

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Supervisor David Chiu's Commercial Rent Tax measure is moving forward, with another hearing at the Small Business Commission scheduled on Monday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. at City Hall, Room 400 and a Rules Committee hearing at the Board of Supervisors planned July 15.

Supervisor Chiu’s proposal would place yet another economic burden upon all local employers, disproportionately impact small business and non-profits, stunt job growth and delay economic recovery.  The proposal would trade a payroll tax on some small businesses for an occupancy tax on a far larger group (commercial rent tax supporters hope that the few small businesses that would see a little relief will speak up, and that the many more small businesses who will see their costs escalate won’t – so they can pass this rent tax).

Please send a message today to help the Small Business Commission see the folly and subterfuge of this proposal!

Before 10 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2010, please email your OPPOSITION to the Commercial Rent Tax to Regina Dick-Endrizzi, Executive Director, Small Business Commission, at regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org.   In your email or phone call, please reference Small Business Commission Meeting, Monday, June 28, 2010, 2:00 p.m. (Her number is 415-554-6481).

NOTE: If you can speak your mind in person, please consider attending the meeting on Monday.  Please click here for the meeting agenda.

The proposed commercial rent tax would:

• Hurt many small businesses who will see their occupancy costs increase.
• Kill job expansion, especially in the small business sector.
• Harm San Francisco’s fragile economy by extending the economic downturn.
• Reduce the local tax base by driving many more businesses out of the City to avoid the tax.
• Hand San Francisco another competitive disadvantage by discouraging businesses from locating here
• Add volatility to San Francisco’s revenue base due to the great swings in commercial rental rates and occupancy levels.
• Disadvantage many more small businesses than would find relief… it’s a shell game, with many more ‘losers’ than ‘winners’.
• Trade minimal relief for a few small businesses who now pay the payroll tax, for another occupancy cost penalty for many more businesses.