New Poll: Despite Media Claims, Small Business Sentiment Remains Historically High

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.”