Office of Advocacy What's New

High-tech Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the United States

Sixteen percent of high-impact, high-tech firms have at least one immigrant founder, according to a study released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Although these firms are concentrated in states with large immigrant populations, in most other respects they resemble high-impact, high-tech firms founded by native-born entrepreneurs.

Sixteen Percent Of High-Impact, High-Tech Firms Founded By Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Regulatory Alert - Temporary Alternative Size Standards for 7(a) Business Loan Program

On May 5, 2009 the Small Business Administration (SBA) published an interim final rule with request for comments on Small Business Size Standards; Temporary Alternative Size Standards for 7(a) Business Loan Program which temporarily establishes the same alternative size standard that applies to SBA’s Certified Development Company Program. The rule is effective immediately. However, SBA is receiving comments on the rule until August 3, 2009.

Advocacy Submits Comments on the Joint Proposed Rulemaking on Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators

On July 9, 2009, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration submitted a comment on the proposed rulemaking on Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators. The proposal is a joint rulemaking of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision, Farm Credit Administration and National Credit Union Administration.

Small Business in Focus: Finance

Access to credit, a top issue for small businesses in the current climate, is the focus of a new compendium of studies sponsored by the Office of Advocacy. The structure of small business financial markets has been changing dramatically over recent decades, as large financial institutions have increased in importance. Small Business in Focus: Finance was released at an Advocacy symposium.

Wide-ranging Review of Small Firm Financial Markets Features Data from Survey of Small Business Finances

Advocacy Recommends that the Federal Acquisition Council Adopt further Modifications to the Proposed Fixed-Priced A and E Regulation

On July 6, 2009, the Office of Advocacy(Advocacy) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) submitted comments on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council Payments Under Fixed-Price Architecture and Engineering Contracts (A and E) proposed rule.

The Small Business Economy

Despite more recent numbers showing improvement in the U.S. economy, the economic picture for small firms at the end of 2008 offered few bright spots, according to the 2009 edition of The Small Business Economy released by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Small businesses in most industries, especially in the construction industry hard hit by the housing market downturn, saw declines in employment. Along with declining sales, most small businesses faced a less accommodating credit market, especially in the second half of 2008.

Financing, Sales Were Small Firm Concerns of 2008

Regulatory Alert - Federal Acquisition Regulations Council (FAR): Authentic Information Technology Products

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are hosting six public meetings to continue a dialogue with industry and Government agencies about ways to develop greater assurances regarding the authenticity of information technology (IT) products acquired by the Government. The public meetings will include dialogues on the impact of counterfeit IT products on matters of performance and security; contractor liability and consequential damages; competitiveness issues associated with procuring IT products from the original equipment manufacturer or authorized distributor; identifying viable means of authenticating IT products; and contractor supply chain risk management requirements as an evaluation factor in the procurement of IT products.

The July 2009 Small Business Advocate

The July issue of The Small Business Advocate examines the economic recoveries from two previous recessions to pinpoint the likely source of future job growth. The issue also reports on important regulatory and legislative issues.

Advocacy Recommends that FASB and IASB Develop Small Business Alternatives in New Accounting Standards on Leases

On June 30, 2009, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) filed a comment letter on a Discussion Paper issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), "Leases: Preliminary Views."

Advocacy Comment Conveys Small Business Concerns On EPA’s Proposal to Regulate Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act

On June 23, 2009, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discussing Advocacy’s concerns with EPA’s proposed rule, “Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act.”

Advocacy Comments on EPA’s Plan to Require Reporting of Greenhouse Gases

On June 9, 2009, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discussing Advocacy’s views on EPA’s proposed rule, "Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases".

Small Business and Micro Business Lending in the United States for Data Years 2007-2008

The growth of small and microbusiness lending remained positive during the first half of 2008, although the expansion was slower than in the previous year, according to the latest edition of the Office of Advocacy’s annual study of lending to small firms. This new report, Small Business and Micro Business Lending in the United States for Data Years 2007-2008, gives a detailed account of small business lending overall, plus state-by-state totals and totals for individual lenders.

Advocacy Study Ranks Banks on Small Firm Lending, Hints at Current Financial Trends

Regulatory Alert - Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; Regional Fishery Management Councils; Operations

On March 27, 2009, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a proposed rule on Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; Regional Fishery Management Councils; Operations. The proposed rule addresses the administration and operations of the regional fishery management councils. In addition, the proposal would make changes to the regulations requiring Councils to provide procedures for proposed regulations, clarifying restrictions on lobbying, and clarifying timing in the Council nomination process. Comments are due on July 6, 2009.

Quarterly Indicators: The Economy and Small Business

The economic recession deepened in the first quarter of 2009, with real gross domestic product falling by an annualized 6.1 percent. Moreover, the unemployment rate rose to 8.5 percent. These and other trends are discussed in the new update to the Quarterly Indicators: The Economy and Small Business for the first quarter of 2009.

Effects of International Competition on Small Wholesale and Retail Trade Firms

A strong dollar (making imports cheaper and exporting more difficult) appears to have little effect on the survival rate of small retailers, according to a study, Effects of International Competition on Small Wholesale and Retail Trade Firms, released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The study covers 15 years of data, from 1990 through 2005, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics of U.S. Businesses and other sources.

Strong Dollar Has Little Effect On Small Retailers, Larger Effect On Wholesalers

Advocacy Brings Industry Concerns to the Attention of the CPSC by Commenting on the Tracking Labels for Children’s Products Notice of Inquiry

On April 27, 2009, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) filed a comment letter with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) concerning a notice of inquiry published in the Federal Register on tracking labels for children’s products under section 103 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

Advocacy Recommends that EEOC Provide Clarifications and Guidance on Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Regulations

On April 24, 2009, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) filed a comment letter with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Regulations Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).

Veteran Business Demographics

On April 23, 2009, Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy Shawne Carter McGibbon testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity regarding Advocacy Findings on Veteran Business Demographics.

Effective Federal Income Tax Rates Faced by Small Businesses in the United States

The effective federal income tax rate faced by small businesses varies by the legal form of organization, according to a report, Effective Federal Income Tax Rates Faced by Small Businesses in the United States, issued by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Average rates range from 13.3 percent for sole proprietorships to 26.9 percent for S corporations. The effective federal income tax rate is the actual amount of taxes paid by a firm as a percent of its net income.

Self-Employed Women and Time Use

Self-employed women are able to spend more time with their children and families, compared to their wage-and-salary earning counterparts, according to a study released by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.