AIA Pennsylvania advocates for the profession of architecture in the Commonwealth and remains focused on state politics. Additionally, we always support and defer to AIA National concerning Federal policy and regulation. Yesterday, the AIA National Government Affairs Team sent out the Action Alerts below detailing the concerns for architects regarding the proposed Tax Credits and Jobs Act. We believe that the concerns listed below are important for all of our members and would ask you to take 5 minutes and participate in the action alerts below.
If these are issues that are important to you, please help us advocate for the future of the profession in the Commonwealth and invest in your Pennsylvania Architects PAC today.
Tax Reform – Get Ready to Mobilize
Yesterday, congressional leaders unveiled the Tax Credits and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) to rewrite our nation’s tax code. Based on our preliminary assessment of the proposal, this bill could do real damage to thousands of architecture firms and would eliminate incentives for good design.
The bill excludes professional services such as architecture firms from the same lower small business tax rates as other industries, essentially forcing them to pay higher taxes than other business types. The proposal also eliminates a significant number of deductions, credits, and other incentives like the Historic Tax Credit and the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings (179D).
The combination of higher taxes on design firms and fewer incentives for good design could be devastating to architects and the communities they serve. It is imperative that you make your voice heard – please tell your representatives how these changes will affect you and your business.
Congressional leaders say they hope to pass this tax reform package by the end of the year. That’s why we are mobilizing now. Over the coming weeks, AIA will continue meeting with legislators in Washington, D.C. and engaging AIA members across the country as this proposal makes its way through the legislative process.
AIA President Tom Vonier, FAIA, issued a statement to the press laying out our principles and stating that we will not support any legislation that undercuts our role as a primary catalyst for job growth in the American economy.
How can you help? Join the AIA Legislative Action Network (LAN) and receive in-depth, up to date information on this and other key issues. You’ll be invited to briefings and trainings that strengthen your advocacy activities and ensure you’re the first to know how federal legislation affects you.
You also can make your voice heard now by sending a letter to your members of Congress to urge them to protect the tax provisions that affect you the most:
Green Building Incentives
Historic Tax Credit
S Corps
AIA Advocacy Center
But more importantly, STAY ALERT – this bill may move fast, and if it does, we will need to mobilize quickly. If you see an AIA Action Alert in your inbox, don’t delete it: Read it and ACT. It may be our only opportunity to weigh in with Congress.
Together, we can speak up for our shared values as architects and make sure that we are at the table when Congress makes big decisions that affect us.
Sarah Dodge
Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Relationships
The American Institute of Architects