Main Street scores a win: the House votes to help small businesses go digital

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Small Business Technological Advancement Act (SBTAA, H.R. 915) by a vote of 414 to 4. For the millions of small business owners who keep local economies running, it’s a milestone worth celebrating. And Intuit is proud to have helped get it here.

The bill makes one thing clear: SBA loans can fund the digital tools small businesses need

The SBTAA clarifies that small business owners can use their SBA 7(a) loan funds to purchase digital tools, including software subscriptions and the artificial intelligence applications that increasingly power growth. It’s a practical, bipartisan step, and it meets small businesses where they already are: online, automated, and looking for an edge.

Why this matters for Main Street

The SBA’s 7(a) loan program is the most popular government-backed loan for small businesses in the country. When the rules make clear that those dollars can go toward technology, owners gain the confidence to invest in the tools that help them compete and grow.

The payoff is real. Small businesses spend an average of $35,000 a year on digital tools, and the businesses that adopt them, especially AI-powered tools, consistently report gains in productivity, revenue, and sales. Last year, we walked through this change on the QuickBooks blog, after the Small Business Administration updated its 7(a) guidance so owners could put loan funds toward these tools for the first time. This week’s House vote builds on that progress and moves to make it permanent in law.

A long record of standing up for small businesses

Intuit has championed this idea for years. Our Intuit Small Business Council, made up of entrepreneurs from across the country, helped make the case for why it matters, bringing real stories from real businesses to the people who write the rules. This is the kind of practical, ground-level advocacy we believe in: less about Washington, and more about the owner trying to add a tool that will save time and win customers.

We didn’t wait for the legislation to act, either. After the SBA updated its 7(a) terms last year, tens of thousands of small businesses were able to adopt more digital tools and see the benefits right away. Having Congress now move to enshrine that change in law sends a clear signal that helping small businesses compete in a digital economy is a priority worth protecting.

Thank you to the champions

We want to thank the U.S. House of Representatives for passing this legislation, with special thanks to Representatives Alford and Lee and the co-sponsors who carried it forward. We also want to thank the Small Business Administration, under the leadership of Administrator Kelly Loeffler, for updating the 7(a) program so small businesses could start benefiting right away. Their commitment is making a real difference in communities across the country.

The work continues

We look forward to seeing the Senate take up this legislation, and we’ll keep working alongside our Small Business Council and partners to get it across the finish line. Because when small businesses have the tools to grow, everyone benefits.