Tell Us What’s Holding You Back

Overview

The Office of Advocacy works to reduce unnecessary red tape for small businesses. If a federal rule is confusing, costly, or getting in your way, let us know about it through the Red Tape Hotline.

Your feedback helps us identify problems and advocate for smarter, more flexible policies at the federal level.

How to Report a Concern

The hotline is a resource for the Office of Advocacy, an independent office located in the U.S. Small Business Administration, which collects feedback on the burdensome federal regulations constricting your business.

Advocacy has almost 50 years of experience in reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses. We know that your pain points aren’t your fault sometimes. Running a business is hard, and it’s harder when obstacles stand in your way.

The Red Tape Hotline is a channel for you to seek assistance with difficulties concerning your business pain points from experts who know small businesses.

Your privacy matters. Submissions are reviewed by our staff and shared with agencies only as part of our advocacy work, not for any other purpose. We will not share your personal information without your permission.

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Federal regulations can make it harder to run your business. If a federal regulation is creating a burden for your small business, we want to hear about it.

Share Your Challenge(s)

What to Avoid Sharing

The Red Tape Hotline is for concerns about federal regulations. To keep your request moving quickly, please avoid topics we can’t address:

Submit Your Feedback

The hotline is open to all U.S. small businesses and entrepreneurs. You can submit your feedback by:

Email: RedTape@sba.gov

Online Form: Submit your issue(s)

If you’re unsure whether your issue fits, call 800-827-5722 and select Option 3 to speak to a representative. We’re here to help small businesses navigate the regulatory landscape.

Operating hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET, and are closed on all federal holidays.

Your voice can lead to real change. Let us help you cut through the red tape!

What and How to Share

Use the Red Tape Hotline to:

  • Share direct feedback on what your pain points are.
  • Identify the pain points and challenges that are caused by new and existing regulations. Be as detailed as possible.
  • Provide information on what complying with proposed regulations could cost you: Is it time, money, opportunity, or even just frustration?
An African American woman typing on a laptop in a warehouse full of boxes on shelves and an employee holding a box in the background.

If you prefer to directly contact the agency responsible for the regulation impacting your business, you can:

Prepare a formal comment letter

Advocacy has drafted a guide to assist that process.

Download guide »

Contact Advocacy staff

If you choose to, we encourage you to pass that letter on to Interagency Affairs staff, who can help amplify your concerns.