As Congress continues deliberations on additional financial assistance for individuals and companies impacted by the pandemic, the Natural Products Association (NPA) is joining businesses representing millions of workers and customers in an open letter asking officials to include tax credits for businesses facing steep reopening costs, as noted previously. Most recently however, a letter to House and Senate leaders, Treasury Secretary Steve Munuchin, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was drawn up, and can be viewed here.
In a recent survey, NPA members projected spending an annual average of $13,595—with some expected to spend as much as $200,000—on COVID-19-related priorities including testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and workplace changes to accommodate social distancing. Some companies indicated they were bracing for significant costs but were unable to calculate them due to the uncertainties of state-level government decisions on reopening.
The organizations requested that qualified expenses for tax credits include:
• Cleaning and workplace safety-related costs, including cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing-related products; equipment; delivery/dispensing devices and systems; and technology platforms or services related to preventing the spread of COVID–19
• Training, consulting, standards, certifications, auditing/quality control, monitoring, and guidelines or other similar information related to COVID–19
• PPE
• Technology used for limiting or tracing and tracking physical contact between customers and employees in the United States and improving workplace safety and hygiene
• Other expenditures associated with maintaining a healthy physical workplace such as reconfigurations, including those necessary to comply with federal, state, and local guidelines, as well as industry best practices
NPA has activated its grassroots network and is urging its members to contact Congress to support the Healthy Workplace Tax Credit. More information about NPA’s grassroots network can be found here.
