History of NASE
NASE Through the Years
Here are some of the highlights to the NASE's history. For more news about the NASE visit our press releases.
2009
Tax.NASE.org is launched, streamlining the tax filing process for micro-business owners with interactive calculators, a Schedule C planning tool and more.
2008
The House of Representatives introduced legislation, the Home Office Deduction Simplification Act (H.R. 6214), that would make it easier for home businesses to deduct office expenses by offering an optional $1,500 standard deduction to eligible taxpayers, with that amount also indexed for inflation.
NASE Member Sheri Novak, owner of online natural toy retailer Hazelnut Kids, received a $30,000 award from the National Association for the Self Employed in recognition of her excellent small-business practices and contribution to the community.
The NASE Business Development Grant program hits the $350,000 mark in money awarded to deserving members to grown their businesses.
2007
Keith Hall, NASE national tax advisor, spoke before Congress regarding the unfair hand micro-businesses are dealt in current proposals to fix the nation’s tax gap, estimated at $353 billion.
A nationwide survey of over 3,000 micro-business owners found that an overwhelming percentage– 80% – do not offer retirement plans of any type for either owners or employees. The NASE also found that the greatest barrier, reported by 62 percent of respondents, is the cost of administering and contributing to a retirement plan.
NASE President Robert Hughes testified before Congress on how small businesses have minimal options to set up a small group health plans.
2006
Seeking member input, the NASE forms the Member Advisory Council to direct the association’s response to issues important to micro-business owners.
The House of Representatives introduced legislation that would eliminate a discrepancy in the tax code that requires 14 million self-employed individuals to pay an additional 15.3 percent in taxes on the cost of their health insurance premiums.
The NASE launched the Business Development Grant Program and in just over 6 months had distributed over $70,000 to micro-business owners to carry out a specific business need.
2005
The Senate introduced a bill to eliminate the payment of self-employment taxes on health insurance premiums, the number one legislative priority of the NASE.
The Association of Small Business Development Centers named the NASE a “Champion of Small Business Development” at their annual meeting.
Executive Director of the Legislative Office Kristie Darien, testified to the House Small Business
Committee on tax relief for micro-businesses. She concentrated her statements on the elimination of the self-employment tax on health insurance.
2004
NASE was invited to two policy speeches by President Bush, and offered testimony to Congress on microbusiness access to affordable health coverage.
NASE President Robert Hughes represented the association at a White House holiday reception.
The http://Women.NASE.org resource center launched, targeting women in business issues and concerns.
U.S. Small Business Administration released a study on the growth of entrepreneurship at the NASE Washington, D.C., officex
2003
NASE President Robert Hughes authors Schedule C: From A to Z, a step-by-step guide to tax filing for sole proprietors.
Spearheaded by the NASE, legislation to eliminate the payment of self-employment tax on health insurance premiums was introduced in the House of Representatives.
Ten NASE Members were selected for the first Women’s Advisory Council, directing the association’s response to the increasing number of women entrepreneurs.
2002
Robert Hughes, NASE President, testified before the House Small Business Committee regarding micro-business access to affordable health care. He participated in both House and Senate Small Business roundtables regarding access to capital, and a Senate small business committee roundtable on the role of the Small Business Development Centers in promoting regulatory compliance.
The NASE began its co-sponsorship of the Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century summits across the country.
The NASE “Micro-Business Survey” received national media attention as it reports that self-employed are confident in their ability to overcome an economic downturn.
2001
The NASE launched its Legislative Advocacy Center, http://advocacy.NASE.org, utilizing Internet resources to mobilize members as part of a grassroots campaign to advance the legislative agenda.
2000
The NASE Scholarship Program received an “Award of Excellence” from the American Society of Association Executives.
The NASE introduced the TaxTalk e-letter, providing expert advice on tax issues affecting the self-employed.
1999
The Home Office Tax Deduction was broadened, allowing more small businesses to claim the deduction.
Following a diligent campaign by the NASE, the IRS created an independent oversight board that enhances the ability of small businesses to recover attorney fees and halt the accrual of fines and interest penalties in many instances.
1998
Congress passed IRS overhaul legislation with smallbusiness- friendly provisions backed by the NASE.
The NASE met with IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti and other IRS executives to offer smallbusiness views on the pending IRS overhaul. Rossotti’s plan created an IRS operating unit devoted specifically to small-business needs.
1997
Legislation was passed allowing the costs of a home office to be deducted by businesses that perform essential administrative and management functions in the home office. The NASE was a leader in the fight for the broadened deduction.
Congress agreed to phase-in 100 percent deductibility of health insurance for the selfemployed, which the NASE supported.
1996
Efforts of the NASE were instrumental in passing the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996, which mandates major improvements in the way federal agencies treat small businesses. The Act – a small business “regulatory bill of rights” – was hailed as perhaps the most significant smallbusiness legislation passed since World War II.
The NASE helped persuade Congress to set up IRAs for non-wage-earning spouses of selfemployed people.
www.NASE.org went live to raise awareness of key issues for micro-businesses.
1995
Members were a major voice in formulating a 60-point agenda developed for the Congress and Administration’s consideration during the White House Conference on Small Business.
1994
The NASE recruited House Ways and Means Committee representatives to introduce H.R. 3407 to reinstate a home-office tax deduction for home-based small-business owners. The association led a coalition of 32 business groups to secure additional support for the bill.
1991
The association established a legislative advocacy program with a presence in
Washington, D.C.
1989
The NASE Scholarship Program was started for dependents of NASE Members.
1988
Capitol Hill discussions on health insurance issues utilized NASE data on availability and cost of health insurance for small businesses.
Membership in the NASE exceeded 100,000.
1984
Membership climbed from 10,000 to 50,000 in two years.
1981
The NASE was founded to bring collective buying power and clout to smallest businesses.