I’m a South Carolina business owner, and the 20 percent tax deduction has been a lifeline for my company.
by Susan Whittelsey
The Bluffton Sun
April 15, 2025
The new administration is working at breakneck speed, giving lawmakers a long list of items to tackle—but only one of them will impact nearly half of South Carolina businesses.
Section 199A, a crucial part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, provides a 20 percent tax deduction for pass-through businesses. These aren’t giant corporations; they’re entities like mine. They’re the businesses that employ everyday Americans. In fact, more than 47% of South Carolina’s employees work for a company that is considered a pass-through business.
I’ve owned BrightStar Care in Bluffton for 18 years and BrightStar Care in West Columbia/Lexington for 14 years. We offer a high-quality home care option for seniors, children with special needs, and people recovering from injuries.The 199A deduction has been a game-changer, enabling me to hire more employees, pay them great wages, and plan for growth.
The facts speak for themselves: Across the country, real wages rose by 4.9 percent in the two years after the tax cuts were signed into law—and the economy grew an entire percentage point faster than projected. Here in South Carolina, the collective tax benefit of this deduction is a whopping $2 billion dollars.
These numbers are proof that if Congress allows 199A to expire, the consequences will trickle down and hurt nearly every household in America. Removing this deduction will ultimately feel like a tax hike for business owners, forcing us to reconsider our finances if we want to remain profitable. The U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means has held several hearings on the issue, allowing business owners from around the country to make their voices heard—and everyone has doubled down on this same sentiment.
New data underscores the argument that the benefits of keeping 199A intact greatly outweigh any potential costs.
A study conducted on behalf of the National Federation of Independent Business found that permanently extending the 199A deduction would lead to the creation of roughly one million new jobs every year over the next decade. Additionally, it would increase U.S. GDP by an average of $75 billion per year during the same period.
Put simply, the economic upside of Section 199A extends far beyond business owners and their workers. The deduction plays a crucial role in strengthening our broader economy, which keeps America competitive on the world stage.
But the fight begins right here at home.
When our economy is robust, U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs are inspired to lead the charge on innovation and productivity. Alternatively, placing an additional tax burden on business owners like me has the potential to disrupt our economy.
Companies of varying sizes across the country, many still recovering from the disruptions caused during the COVID-19 pandemic, cannot afford a sudden spike in their tax liability. And this tax incentive ensures that entrepreneurs, family businesses, and large organizations alike can continue to serve Americans.
Unfortunately, this decision isn’t in the hands of the American business owners, workers, and families who will be affected.
Our elected members of Congress will either support us by extending Section 199A, ensuring that we have the resources we need to thrive—or they can allow a vital tax deduction to disappear, jeopardizing growth, wages, and economic stability.
For this reason, I’m urging lawmakers to consider the consequences and do what’s right for the future of American businesses. We ask that you help us continue to grow, compete, and contribute to our communities.
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Susan Whittelsey owns two BrightStar Care facilities, a high-quality home care option for seniors, children with special needs, and people recovering from injuries.inability of successful businesses across the nation.
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