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KALW is proud to partner with The San Francisco Public Press on coverage our 2024 election coverage.

San Francisco Prop M: Adjusting taxes on businesses

Proposition M would fundamentally change how the city taxes businesses, to better align with post-pandemic work norms. The city would rely less on taxing a company’s payroll for staff working here, and more on revenue that businesses earn within the city.

Under the measure, some 2700 small businesses would no longer be required to pay the gross receipt tax. Only businesses with $5 million in revenue would have to pay, more than double the current cutoff.

Prop M would reduce taxes significantly for some industries, including an 80% tax cut for arts, entertainment and recreation businesses.

Bars and restaurants would see a 45%t cut and health care services would get a 30% cut.

Prop M would increase the rate for the homelessness gross receipts tax, which would apply to more businesses.

The city controller says the measure would lose $40 million in tax revenue a year for the first three years, but would generate $50 million per year after that.

A host of fees would also go away, including one for occupying sidewalks with tables.

Prop M is supported by The Golden Gate Restaurant Association, which says it would give critical tax relief to small businesses.

The measure is opposed by Larry Marso, a local technology executive who says it would hurt mid-sized businesses.

Prop M passes with a simple majority. If it passes with more votes than Proposition L, M will nullify L.

This election brief was reported by San Francisco Public Press reporter Audrey Brown, read the full analysis for Prop M here.