MYNORTHWEST NEWS

SBA Regional Administrator Kelly Chambers says Northwest families are saving thousands under federal tax cuts

Apr 15, 2026, 7:30 AM

WA tax deadline extension flood...

Regional SBA Administrator Kelly Chambers says refunds up 11% under new cuts. (Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images)

(Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images)

It is the dreaded Tax Day, but as small business owners scramble to meet the filing deadline, the new regional head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) says local taxpayers are seeing a significant boost in their returns.

“Working families are seeing more money in their pocket,” Kelly Chambers told The Jason Rantz Show on Seattle Red 770 AM. “Taxpayers, their refunds are up 11% over last year. And that’s, real money.”

Chambers, a former state representative recently sworn in to lead SBA Region 10, says the shift is largely due to federal tax cuts designed to help taxpayers. To illustrate the point, she shared a story about a family member who works as an Instacart driver, noting that “you can see what they made last year versus this year” as proof that the policies are hitting home for everyday workers, specifically citing the “no tax on tips” policy under President Donald Trump.

Permanent wins for small businesses

While families are seeing immediate relief in their refunds, Chambers emphasized that the benefits for small business owners are designed to last. She highlighted that certain tax cuts for small firms have been made permanent, providing a level of certainty that helps owners plan for the future.

“President Trump, in the working families tax cuts made those small business tax cuts permanent,” Chambers explained.

She urged business owners to take a closer look at their filings to see the actual impact and suggested they sit down with their tax professionals. Chambers mentioned she has spoken with several business owners whose CPAs pointed out exactly how much they saved because of the permanent small business tax deduction.

“I’ve talked to some businesses where their CPA has said… if it weren’t for the permanent small business tax deduction, you would have paid more than you did last year,” Chambers explained.

Help for those missing the deadline

For those who are overwhelmed by the April 15 deadline or simply don’t have the funds ready to pay their bill today, Chambers offered a simple piece of advice: don’t panic, but do act quickly.

“People can always file an extension. They need to do that in a timely manner, but these tax cuts are still going to be available to them when they do that,” she said.

Beyond just tax filing, Chambers encouraged entrepreneurs to reach out to the SBA for coaching and resources to help navigate the financial landscape. She recommended that anyone looking for more information or help with “red tape” visit the official SBA website to find training classes and support programs.

Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Seattle Red on 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason Rantz on XInstagramYouTube, and Facebook.

MyNorthwest News

_spokane wildfires...

Luke Duecy

Convicted felon arrested in connection with Old Trails Fire in Spokane

Governor Bob Ferguson said federal resources are on the way to help Washington battle 17 major wildfires burning more than 260,000 acres.

36 minutes ago

pierce transit (1)...

Nate Connors

Chill out during this week’s heat wave courtesy of Pierce Transit

It's become a regular service to Pierce County residents during the excessive heat bursts we often get throughout our summer season.

2 hours ago

Gifford Pinchot National Forest (1)...

Julia Dallas

Gifford Pinchot National Forest issues emergency closures for wildfire

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has issued an emergency closure order for the High Lava Fire.

3 hours ago

washington...

James Lynch

Crime drops across every major category in Washington, but officials warn the full picture is more complicated

Crime declined across every major category in Washington in 2025, with sharp drops in murders, violent crime, and property crime.

4 hours ago

seattle homelessness...

Frank Lenzi

Seattle, King County plan to reclaim nearly $160M in homelessness contracts from KCRHA

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will survive despite calls from some Seattle and King County leaders to dissolve it.

5 hours ago

King County Metro...

KIRO 7 News Staff

King County Metro to add 9 new bus routes and 3,000 additional weekly bus trips to schedule

King County Metro is adding nine new bus routes and more than 3,000 additional weekly bus trips to its schedule.

5 hours ago

SBA Regional Administrator Kelly Chambers says Northwest families are saving thousands under federal tax cuts