County Clerk Says Small Businesses Could be Affected by Proposed Change in State Law

DeKalb County Clerk Mike Clayborn wants to advise and alert all small business owners of an issue which he says will directly and adversely affect them.
On Tuesday, June 2nd, a State Senate Subcommittee will consider legislation for the Tennessee Department of Revenue to remove business tax administration from county clerks across the state. Clayborn is encouraging all business owners to attend the meeting at Legislative Plaza.
“I strongly oppose the attempt to take away the issuance of business licenses and the collection of business taxes from the county clerks. This has very serious ramifications for all my constituents and business owners across Tennessee. I do not believe the Department of Revenue can offer the same level of helpfulness and one-on-one frontline support that county clerks have provided since 1971,”said Clayborn.
Clayborn says county clerks not only process tax returns received by mail, but they spend countless hours each week assisting local taxpayers personally. Also, many daily telephone inquiries receive prompt response. In many instances, new businesses need their license immediately in order to open a bank account and purchase products to sell. Counties can do this on the spot.
Small business owners may especially have more difficulty in submitting tax returns to the Department of Revenue without one-on-one assistance from local government. Clayborn says it is this level of customer service that he feels is very important.
“The department references ‘regional offices’ but I do not think taxpayers will appreciate having to drive three or four counties over to actually receive help from a live person.”
“With the state registering these entities and collecting these dollars, there becomes a veil of secrecy, not only over the distribution of the money, but a shadow of uncertainty as to what types of businesses and activities are springing up on our hometown streets.”
He says city and local governments stand at risk with a shift from a local to a state function.
County Clerk Clayborn encourages any concerned parties, especially those who own small businesses to show up and voice their opinions. The meeting will be held at Legislative Plaza, Room 12 at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2nd.