Lower Taxes for Alberta’s Small Businesses!

Alberta is swimming in surpluses!

2025/2026 2026/2027
$1.4 billion projected surplus $2.6 billion projected surplus

Yet, SMEs continue to struggle with escalating costs.

77% of Alberta SMEs say tax/regulatory costs are their top cost constraint — the highest % since 2019!

Eliminating the small business tax rate would cost less than a quarter of next year’s surplus but would save SMEs up to $10,000 per year.

Manitoba has a small business tax rate of 0% because of CFIB advocacy!

This pie chart shows that the cost of eliminating the small business tax rate to Alberta government is $1,129 million and that the remaining surplus would be $308 million

Dear Premier Smith

CC: My Member of the Legislative Assembly

The cost of doing business in Alberta has skyrocketed! The perfect storm of inflation, sky high interest rates, and sluggish consumer demand are all squeezing my bottom line. Enough is enough! Your government must take immediate action to alleviate the tax burden on my small business.

Alberta’s budget surplus proves that the province can afford to provide the relief we desperately need. We’re not asking for handouts, we’re asking for a fair shot to compete, grow, and drive Alberta’s economic success. Lowering taxes isn’t just about helping small businesses—it’s about securing a prosperous future for all Albertans.

To help me offset the increased costs of doing business in Alberta and keep my business competitive, I am calling on your government to:

  • Eliminate or reduce the small business tax rate (currently at 2%).
  • Reduce the insurance premium tax (currently at 4%).
  • Reduce the education property tax (current non-residential rate set at $3.76 per $1,000 of assessment value).
  • Reduce the fuel tax (currently 13¢ per litre).
  • Introduce a new 8% personal income tax bracket, as promised.
CFIB logo

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings.