NFIB Concerned About Potential Tax Hikes for Maryland Small Businesses

Small business advocacy group says lawmakers missed opportunity for meaningful relief

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:52am

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of financial documents, a pen, and a calculator on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the abstract concepts of corporate finance and budgeting for small businesses.The NFIB warns that Maryland small businesses may face another round of tax increases in the coming year, underscoring the ongoing financial challenges they continue to navigate.Annapolis Today

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Maryland's leading small business advocacy organization, has issued a statement expressing concern about the potential for tax increases on small businesses in the state next year, despite the General Assembly not passing large tax and fee hikes during the recent legislative session.

Why it matters

Small businesses are a critical part of Maryland's economy, and tax increases could put additional strain on them as they continue to navigate the post-pandemic landscape. The NFIB's statement highlights the ongoing challenges facing small businesses and the need for policymakers to provide meaningful support and relief.

The details

While the General Assembly did not pass a $25 minimum wage or a dramatic increase to unemployment insurance taxes as it did in 2025, the NFIB says lawmakers still missed an opportunity to provide real regulatory and tax relief for small businesses. The organization warns that next year's budget process could lead to another round of tax increases on small businesses, which it says have become the norm rather than the exception.

  • The Maryland General Assembly's legislative session ended in April 2026.
  • The NFIB statement was issued on April 14, 2026.

The players

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

A nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven organization that has been advocating on behalf of America's small and independent business owners for over 80 years, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals.

Mike O'Halloran

The NFIB Maryland State Director, who issued the statement on behalf of the organization.

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What they’re saying

“While the General Assembly did not pass large tax and fee increases as it did in 2025, lawmakers did miss an opportunity to provide meaningful relief for Maryland's small businesses. Main Street is breathing a sigh of relief that a $25 minimum wage and a dramatic increase to unemployment insurance taxes did not pass, but unfortunately, it has become the norm for small businesses to celebrate a bill not passing rather than legislation that provides real regulatory and tax relief getting across the finish line.”

— Mike O'Halloran, NFIB Maryland State Director

“Next year promises to be an exceptionally tough budget year. Hopefully, the General Assembly will hold the line again on another round of tax increases on Main Street.”

— Mike O'Halloran, NFIB Maryland State Director

What’s next

The NFIB will continue to advocate on behalf of Maryland's small businesses as the state's budget process for the next fiscal year gets underway.

The takeaway

The NFIB's statement highlights the ongoing challenges facing small businesses in Maryland, even as the state's lawmakers avoided passing some of the more significant tax and fee increases that were proposed. The organization is calling for more meaningful relief and support for small businesses, which it says have become accustomed to simply celebrating the absence of new burdens rather than the passage of pro-business legislation.