Monthly Polling Results

March 2025

April 21, 2025

SBIQ:61.9
Current Conditions Rating:64.9
Future Expectations Rating:59.7

Washington, D.C. (April 21, 2025)— New polling from the Job Creators Network Foundation (JCNF) reveals that small business sentiment remains historically high, contradicting media claims. The poll’s SBIQ index, which aggregates several measures of small business current and projected plans, was 61.9 in March, a rate that was only eclipsed once between 2021 and 2024 as part of the Covid-19 recovery. March’s SBIQ is down from its high of 62.7 in January yet remains at an elevated level since President Trump’s election.

The poll reveals small businesses want the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to focus on extending and expanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Respondents support making the law permanent by a four-to-one margin. More than one-fifth of entrepreneurs say they would expand their businesses if the law is extended. More than three-quarters support expanding the TCJA’s 20 percent small business tax deduction to 25 percent.

View more polling details here and find key takeaways below:

Despite media claims, small business sentiment remains high. Up until this past November, the current level (61.9) had only been eclipsed once since the survey’s inception in May of 2021.
Small businesses support extending the TCJA by a four-to-one margin, with 21 percent saying they’ll expand operations if so.
76 percent of small businesses support expanding the TCJA small business deduction from 20 percent to 25 percent.
64 percent of small businesses support the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
76 percent of small businesses support education freedom.
79 percent of small businesses support federal legislation that would lower credit card “swipe fees.”

Elaine Parker, President of the Job Creators Network Foundation, released the following statement:

“Small businesses are still feeling the effects of Biden Administration policies, but sentiment remains historically high thanks to President Trump’s deregulation, cost-cutting, and pro-energy policies. To maintain and boost small business confidence, Washington must extend and expand the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as soon as possible. Small businesses need tax certainty now.”

Poll Results:

Are you optimistic or pessimistic that the Trump Administration will help small businesses?

Optimistic	59%
Pessimistic	37%
Unsure	5%

What should be Trump and Congressional Republicans’ top priority in 2025?

Balancing the Budget	37%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	32%
Securing the Border	31%
Healthcare Reform	29%
Tariffs	15%
Cut Corporate Tax Rate to 15%	12%
Deregulation	11%

Are you concerned that economic conditions could force you to close your business?

Concerned	61%
Not Concerned	38%

If your business has faced price increases, are they more, the same, or less than inflation?

More	60%
Same	33%
Less	6%
Unsure	2%

Is the amount of time your business spends with local, state, and federal regulations time consuming?

Time Consuming	52%
Not Time Consuming	47%
Unsure	1%

Should the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act be extended?

Yes	61%
No	14%
Unsure	24%

If the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is extended, which of the following would you most likely do?

Expand Your Business	21%
Take More Profit	21%
Boost Worker Wages/Benefits	15%
Hire More Employees	11%
Increase Charitable Acts	4%
Other	1%
Nothing Would Change	28%

Did the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017 help small businesses?

Yes	58%
No	14%
Unsure	28%

If the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act expires, what would you consider to compensate for the tax increases?

Reduce/Delay Expansion	33%
Reduce Number of Employees	22%
Reduce Hours or Wages	18%
Reduce Inventory	15%
Get a Loan	15%
No Significant Impact	28%

Do you support or oppose increasing the small business tax deduction from 20% to 25%?

Support	76%
Oppose	13%
Unsure	11%

Do you think passing President Trump’s new tax cuts will make it easier or harder to get workers?

Easier	59%
Harder	15%
No Difference	18%
Unsure	8%

Do you approve of the job the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is doing?

Approve	64%
Disapprove	28%
Unsure	8%

Do you support legislation that would lower credit card “swipe fees” for small businesses?

Support	79%
Oppose	12%
Unsure	9%

Has crime increased, decreased, or stayed the same in your area?

Increased	44%
Decreased	14%
Stayed the Same	40%
Unsure	2%

Do you support education freedom, also known as school choice?

Support	76%
Oppose	13%
Unsure	11%

Do you support a Constitutional amendment that would require congress to pass balanced budgets without adding to the federal deficit?

Support	63%
Oppose	24%
Unsure	13%

Are you aware of the Corporate Transparency Act and its reporting requirements?

Aware	28%
Unaware	55%
Unsure	17%