WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Independent Women Features (IW Features), the grassroots storytelling and original journalism arm of Independent Women, released the first profile in its latest series: Earn More, Pay Less: How America Grew Under the Trump Tax Cuts. This series highlights the real-life impact of tax relief on middle-class families, small business owners, and job creators thanks to President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). These lower tax burdens fueled job growth, higher wages, and financial independence, especially for women in the workforce.
The first profile of the series highlights Lana Pol, a small business owner from Pella, Iowa. As the President and Owner of Geetings, Inc., a trucking, warehousing, and logistics company, the TCJA gave Pol the confidence to reinvest in her employees and expand operations.
“Before the tax cuts, everybody was struggling at that point, as far as small businesses. The confidence wasn’t there,” Pol told IW Features. “When these tax cuts came along, we saw a tremendous increase in people’s confidence. Everything seemed to start flowing a lot better, cash flow was better, and just knowing that there was help out there.”
With major parts of the 2017 tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2025, these stories highlight what’s at stake for families and small businesses facing a massive tax hike. If Congress doesn’t act, it’ll be one of the biggest tax increases in history—hitting middle-class Americans the hardest.
Patrice Onwuka, director of the Center for Economic Opportunity at Independent Women, said: “The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was historic in size and impact on women, households, and small businesses. Remarkably, within two years of its passage, U.S. companies added nearly 5 million new jobs and delivered a bonanza of bonuses, pay increases, and new benefits. Real median household incomes grew by more than $5,000 while the poverty rate plummeted to record lows, lifting 4.2 million Americans out of poverty. Millions of women enjoyed higher pay, flexible opportunities, and new coveted benefits such as paid family leave, which they previously lacked. The nation’s 12 million women-owned businesses were not left behind but received important tax incentives that aligned their tax rates with the new lowered corporate rate. The cumulative impact of the TCJA was real savings and real growth. By extending the TCJA, Congress will allow hardworking Americans to earn more, pay less, and simplify their taxes. If they fail to act, our nation’s leaders will deliver a historic tax hike at a moment when women and households are struggling to stay afloat.”
Andrea Mew, managing editor for IW Features, said: “The stories of female business owners like Lana Pol and Jolene Riessen aren’t just inspiring, they’re proof that tax cuts empower hardworking Americans to invest in a rich future for the next generation. Jolene’s family farm and Lana’s trucking and warehouse business both thrived thanks to provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, allowing them to expand, reinvest in their employees, and protect the legacies they spent decades building. If these game-changing tax cuts expire, it won’t just hurt their families –– it will send shockwaves through communities and businesses nationwide. At IW Features, we will continue to share more stories of the real positive effects that stem from thoughtful tax cuts because they affect every American who values economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, and financial security.”
IW Features will release the next feature article in this series tomorrow highlighting Iowa corner farmer Jolene Riessen, who is fighting to preserve her family’s farming legacy and secure a future for other family farms as tax cuts that have supported agriculture face expiration.
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