Greg Gianforte on Tax Reform

Lowering top tax rate will make Montana more competitive

To reduce the burden on our small businesses, my budget calls for reforming the business equipment tax by exempting business equipment valued up to $200,000, boosting the exemption by 100%. The BIG Jobs Act, or Business Investment Grows Jobs Act, eliminates the business equipment tax burden for 4,000 Montana small business owners.

2002: state sales tax ok; 2016: no state sales tax

Oppose any or all tax increases to raise revenue

Gianforte: No. Pledged to oppose "any or all" tax increases to raise revenue. Favors cutting business & personal taxes to reduce size of government.

Quist: Prioritize tax reform by closing loopholes for corporations & support small businesses, workers, & families.

Wicks: Unknown, but likely no since priority is reducing size of government

406 Tax Relief plan: cut taxes & freeze government spending

Gianforte is seeking to phase out a business equipment tax over four years, hold state spending to current levels and reduce the maximum tax rate from 6.9% to 6%. Gianforte said, "I learned from over 30 years starting & growing businesses that sustainable jobs and opportunities are only created in the private sector, not by government programs. Streamlining regulations, lowering taxes and slowing the growth of government will energize our economy and help create more high wage jobs so we can stop exporting our kids."

Even before the Republican released his plan, the re-election campaign for Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock said the proposal would benefit the wealthy at the expense of middle class families.

CC:Make federal income tax cuts permanent.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Make federal income tax cuts permanent' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

CC:Elimination the Death Tax.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Permanent Elimination of the "Death Tax"' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

PVS:Don't increase taxes to balance budget.

Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."