Indiana legislative study committee recommends eliminating equipment tax for small businesses

A panel of Indiana lawmakers is recommending the state eliminate the business equipment tax for small businesses.

The panel studying Indiana's business personal property tax included the recommendation with a series of other proposals in its final report released Wednesday.

Gov. Mike Pence pushed unsuccessfully earlier this year for a complete elimination of the tax that's paid mostly by manufacturers. But House and Senate Republicans instead proposed a compromise allowing counties to decide whether to cut the tax.

Republican Sen. Brandt Hershman of Lafayette chairs the study committee. He acknowledged at the start of Wednesday's meeting that the panel's recommendations do not guarantee any tax cut passing the General Assembly.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma has said tax cuts are not a priority during the upcoming legislative session.