TO: Members of the United States Congress and State Legislators Americans are paying more in taxes and essential living costs than ever before, while real purchasing power continues to decline. Since 2020: Grocery prices have increased 20-25% Housing costs in many regions have increased 25-40%
Property taxes have risen 10-30%
Auto insurance premiums have increased 15-30%
Healthcare premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs continue to climb Wage growth has not kept pace with cumulative inflation. Families and small businesses are absorbing rising costs without proportional relief. SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAX (15.3%) Self-employed Americans pay: 12.4% Social Security 2.9% Medicare
Total: 15.3% Unlike W-2 employees who split this burden (7.65% each), small business owners pay the full amount. On 100,000 dollars of net income, that equals 15,300 dollars before federal and state income taxes. Combined tax burdens can exceed 30-40%. We demand: Reduction of the 15.3% self-employment tax Relief from the employer-equivalent 7.65% portion for small businesses under a defined income threshold EMPLOYER PAYROLL TAXES (8-12% ABOVE WAGES) Employers pay: 7.65% FICA Approximately 0.6% Federal Unemployment Tax
1-4% State Unemployment Insurance This adds 8-12% to payroll costs. A 50,000 dollar employee can cost an employer 4,000-6,000 dollars more in payroll taxes before benefits. These costs discourage hiring and suppress wage growth. We demand targeted payroll tax relief for small businesses to support job creation and wage increases. HEALTHCARE COSTS Employer-sponsored family health insurance premiums exceed 23,000 dollars per year, with workers contributing 6,000-7,000 dollars annually. Individual deductibles commonly range from 1,500-3,000 dollars Family deductibles often exceed 3,000-6,000 dollars
Out-of-pocket maximums can exceed 8,000-18,000 dollars Americans are paying more while receiving less coverage. We demand: Lower health insurance premium costs Limits on deductible and out-of-pocket maximum growth tied to wage growth
Greater transparency in healthcare pricing
Stronger oversight of insurance practices   PROPERTY TAXES AND COST OF LIVING Property taxes have increased 10-30% in many communities due to valuation spikes. A homeowner paying 4,000 dollars annually may now pay 5,500-6,000 dollars without increased income. Combined with grocery and housing inflation, this creates sustained financial pressure on working families. We demand: Caps on property tax increases tied to income growth Protections for primary residences
Tax policy aligned with real wage growth FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY Americans contribute trillions annually in federal, state, and local taxes. Taxpayers deserve: Transparent reporting of how tax dollars are allocated Public audits of major expenditures
Clear justification for major spending
Budget prioritization that strengthens American households and small businesses   CONCLUSION Between rising taxes, payroll burdens, healthcare costs, and inflation, the financial strain on American families and small businesses has become excessive and unsustainable. We call on lawmakers to enact meaningful reforms that reduce tax pressure, control healthcare costs, increase transparency, and prioritize the economic stability of the American people.