WASHINGTON, D.C. – National small business advocacy organizations are praising Congresswoman Miller's Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement (ERTC) Act.
The ERTC was designed to help small businesses rehire and retain employees they had to let go due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was overwhelmingly supported in the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020. The bill is cosponsored by fellow Ways and Means Members Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Kevin Hern (R-OK), and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
On the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act:
Carla Balakgie, President & CEO, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA): "NAMA, which represents the $31 billion U.S. convenience services industry, applauds the introduction of the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act and the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Terri A. Sewell (D-AL). Preserving the Employee Retention Tax Credit has been our organization's number-one priority since the Senate Infrastructure Bill first put this vital program in jeopardy. For many small businesses in the convenience services industry, access to fourth-quarter ERTC could be the lifeline that helps them make it through the year — and keeps American workers on the payroll."
Courtney Titus Brooks, Senior Manager, Federal Government Relations, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): "Small businesses continue to manage several challenges such as the labor shortage, supply chain disruptions, and COVID-19 variants. The Employee Retention Tax Credit is one of the last COVID-19 recovery programs available to small businesses and by reinstating it for the fourth quarter, owners who were planning on using the tax credit will no longer face a retroactive tax increase or burdensome paperwork. NFIB thanks Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Kevin Hern (R-OK), and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for their work to support Main Street and introduce the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act."
Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, National Restaurant Association: "As restaurants enter the second winter of the pandemic, many are relying on the employee retention credit to sustain operations. We thank Reps. Miller, Murphy, Sewell, and Hern for their bipartisan leadership to restore the ERTC for the current calendar quarter and support small business restaurants, employees, and the communities they serve."
Eben Peck, Executive Vice President, Advocacy, American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA): "ASTA strongly supports the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act and commend Representatives Miller, Murphy, Hern and Sewell for their leadership and for recognizing that, for many businesses, the pandemic is far from over. We hope that Congressional leadership recognizes this as well and ensures that any legislation moving through Congress before the end of the year incorporates their bill. Travel agencies and others who continue to be impacted by COVID have been counting on this support in the 4th quarter as they plan to bring back furloughed staff and start to rebuild their businesses. Terminating the credit early means fewer employees back on the payroll. With PPP having long since run dry, the ERTC is the only game in town for industries like travel that face a long COVID recovery window."
Liz Clark, President & CEO, International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA): "The Employee Retention Tax Credit has been crucial for the fitness industry still struggling under the weight of COVID-19 related closures and restrictions. The unexpected early termination of the program worsened an already difficult situation for many of these businesses. We applaud Representatives Miller, Murphy, Hern and Sewell for their leadership in working to restore the promise Congress made when they introduced the program."
Michael Layman, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, International Franchise Association (IFA): "Franchise owners nationwide have benefitted from the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) to preserve small business jobs and healthcare benefits throughout the pandemic. IFA applauds the introduction of the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act that will allow business owners continue to take advantage of the ERTC through the end of 2021, as originally written in the CARES Act."
Jade West, Chief Government Relations Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW): "The Employee Retention Tax Credit was a critically important part of the original COVID legislation that helped small businesses survive – and their workers stay employed – through the economic shutdowns. Thanks to the significant efforts of supporters in Congress, the ERTC was scheduled to continue through the end of this year. Retroactive repeal of the 4th quarter ERTC in the infrastructure bill has created a huge problem for employers who have done exactly what they were encouraged to do, but now face retroactive tax payments, even as many of them still struggle. NAW appreciates Congresswoman Miller and her colleagues for introducing legislation to reinstate the ERTC through the end of 2021."
Kristen Swearingen, Vice President, Legislative & Political Affairs, Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC):"ABC is proud to support this common-sense, bipartisan proposal that will provide certainty and relief for many of America's construction employers who were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventing this retroactive tax hike on our contractors will ensure that they are able to continue with their recovery efforts while providing good-paying jobs for America's workers."
Catherine Prather, President, National Tour Association (NTA): "On behalf of the entire National Tour Association (NTA) organization, we applaud Rep. Miller for her introduction of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Reinstatement Act. Her diligence and leadership on this important issue is critical as our members continue to struggle amid the pandemic. Millions of small businesses, including tour companies, suffered a financial hit when the pandemic curtailed travel. The ERTC has been enormously important for NTA members, who used the credit to keep more people on their payrolls. All of those business owners—as well as other companies and organizations that rely on them—are grateful to Rep. Miller and other Representatives who helped introduce this legislation. We encourage all Representatives to support and cosponsor the ERTC Reinstatement Act."
David L. Thompson, Vice President of Public Policy, National Council of Nonprofits: "Charitable nonprofits have stretched beyond all reasonable measures and have struggled to advance their missions throughout the pandemic despite unfathomable challenges. The ERTC allowed charitable organizations to plan ahead and reopen for the fall to address educational, cultural, and direct services needs. Unless reversed, the repeal of the ERTC for the fourth quarter of 2021 will absolutely lead to layoffs at community nonprofits and cause a reduction in the vital services our fellow residents need. The Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act is urgently needed legislation that the National Council of Nonprofits enthusiastically endorses."
Neal Denton, Executive Vice President for Government Relations, YMCA of the USA: "The Employee Retention Tax Credit has allowed many YMCAs to retain employees that deliver critical services needed in communities such as childcare, providing meals to families experiencing food insecurity, and more. Restoring the ERTC for the 4th quarter will help ensure that community-based organizations like the Y can continue to support their neighbors and contribute to the nation's recovery from the pandemic."
Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras: "Performing arts organizations had planned on access to funding from the fourth-quarter ERTC refundable payroll credit to support their creative workforce and launch reopening plans in communities nationwide. Reinstatement is critical in order to provide essential economic resources amid the ongoing effects of the pandemic."
Michelle Ramos, Board Chair, Performing Arts Alliance: "Access to the ERTC through the end of 2021 was central to plans to rehire arts workers and resume performances for audiences eager to attend live events. Reinstating this promised form of federal COVID relief will boost economic recovery."
Kellee Edusei, Executive Director, Dance/USA: "The ERTC program has been a vital lifeline for the dance community – for both dance companies and nonprofit organizations alike. Dance artists around the country have been directly impacted by being able to keep their jobs and continuing to showcase their talents to the general public since their employers have been able to leverage this important relief during this current pandemic."
John Fithian, President and CEO, National Association of Theatre Owners: "Cinema owners and operators applaud the bipartisan mission to reinstate the ERTC through the end of the year. We urge quick passage of this critical legislation that will help our members continue to bring the magic of moviegoing and employment opportunities to communities across the nation."
Marc A. Scorca, President/CEO, OPERA America: "The ERTC program has provided critical relief to opera companies during this current pandemic. Opera companies have depended on this support to retain their in-house and contracted employees so that they are able to recommence their public performances and programming once they are able to in earnest in accordance with CDC protocols."
Teresa Eyring, Executive Director, Theatre Communications Group: "Reinstatement of ERTC through the end of 2021 will provide critical support to theatres across the country as employers of arts workers serving their communities."
Stephan Kline, Associate Vice President for Public Policy, The Jewish Federations of North America: "The ERTC was doing exactly what it was supposed to do to combat the pandemic: allowing nonprofits like Jewish community centers, Jewish day schools and Jewish family service agencies to retain critical employees in the face of severe economic challenge. Since its creation, ERTC became a true lifeline preserving nonprofit economic viability. We commend Representatives Miller (R-WV), Murphy (D-FL), Hern (R-OK) and Sewell (D-AL) for introducing bipartisan legislation to reinstate this important provision."
Jeffrey Moore, Chief Strategy Officer, Independent Sector: "The Employee Retention Tax Credit has been a lifeline in helping nonprofits rebuild and continue to deliver critical services throughout the pandemic. The nonprofit sector – America's third largest employer – lost over 1.6 million jobs during the worst of the economic crisis and is still missing nearly 500,000 jobs. While these lost jobs reflect families that are missing a paycheck, they also point to an issue of even greater urgency: unmet community needs. We look forward to advocating for the Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act, while also calling on Congress to clarify key parameters of the credit for nonprofits and to extend it further. With nonprofits and other employers grappling with the economic consequences and administrative burden of retroactive repeal, Independent Sector is deeply grateful to the sponsors for their leadership."
The Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act is also endorsed by:
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), American Bus Association, United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), The Payroll Group (TPG), Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), The Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA), American Rental Association (ARA), International Inbound Travel Association (IITA), Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), Live Events Coalition, United Way Worldwide, Goodwill Industries International, Inc., Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, Jewish Community Center of North America (JCCA), Association of Art Museum Directors, Argentum
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