Falls Church, VA – Sept 27, 2011 – Incentive Legislation Campaign (ILC) representatives held another round of meetings with targeted members of Congress and their advisors during a September 20 visit to Capitol Hill conducted as part of the proactive campaign to educate and inform legislators about the value of incentives in corporate safety programs and service awards.
The group advocates maintaining Section 274(j) of the Internal Revenue Code for service and safety awards, first enacted in 1986. It has been credited as saving as much as $10 for every dollar invested. The 25-year-old provision provides that the cost of a length of service award and a safety achievement award given to an employee is deductible to the employer and tax-free to the employee as long as the award is tangible personal property and does not exceed $400 in any year.
Incentive Federation Executive Director George Delta and industry representatives met with the staffs of Congressional “super committee” co-chair Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Rep. Richard Neal (D- MA), of the House Ways & Means Committee and ranking Democrat on the Select Revenues Committee. The group also met with congressional staff members from the Joint Committee on Taxation. In addition to Delta, the group included: ILC Chair Michelle M. Smith, vice president, business development at O.C Tanner; Karen Renk, executive director, Incentive Marketing Association; Jessica Tadlock, managing director of the Incentive Federation, and Jim Miller, the Incentive Federation’s lobbyist.
“It was significant that we were able to meet with staff from Rep. Hensarling’s office, given the huge task facing members of the ‘super committee’ to find an additional $1.5 trillion in debt savings over a 10-year period,” Delta said. “We continue to show that section 274(j) has a positive effect on worker productivity, employee engagement and workplace safety. It’s our job to continue to show members of Congress that this provision has been beneficial to American business.”
Incentive Legislation Committee Chair Smith added, “The overriding take-away of this month’s meetings was how crucial it is that we continue to meet with and inform Members of Congress about 274(j) – everyone we met with confirmed how essential these discussions are to advancing our cause. When we have the opportunity to present our case, we often find a receptive and grateful audience. Our presence in Washington is making a difference and we’re making significant progress.”
Smith noted that ILC has been meeting with members of Congress and their advisors over the last 23 months to provide information, case studies and data that will help them better understand the $46 billion incentive and recognition industry. A team of incentive industry representatives and Delta will return to Capitol Hill on October 27, 2011 for another round of meetings with legislators and their staff.
About The Incentive Federation
Founded in 1984, the Incentive Federation is the umbrella legislative organization for the incentive and recognition field representing national trade associations, trade publications, and national trade shows. It is the only organization whose membership includes all of the industry’s national trade associations and individual companies. The Incentive Marketing Association, the Promotional Products Association International, Recognition Professionals International, The Incentive Research Foundation, and SITE International Foundation are active members. More information can be found at: http://www.incentivefederation.org/
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CONTACT: George Delta, Incentive Federation 703-848-7588
gdelta [at] deltalaw.net
Sue Voyles, Logos Communications 734-667-2005
sue [at] logos-communications.com
