Contact: John Schneidawind202-626-7457 johnschneidawind@aia.org http://twitter.com/AIA_Media
For immediate release: Washington, D.C. - March 22, 2016 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced that it has signed on as charter members of “Parity for Main Street Employers” (PMSE), a coalition pushing for comprehensive tax reform that treats small business fairly.
Formerly called the Pass-Through Coalition, the “Parity for Main Street Employers” steering committee is made up of nine national trade groups actively representing private employers in the tax reform discussion. The group’s general membership is made up of those trade groups that have signed on to the tax reform principles letter that forms the core of the group’s advocacy efforts.
The most recent iteration of that letter was released last week ahead of tomorrow’s hearing on Tax Reform before the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee. The letter, which is signed by more than 100 business groups including the AIA, calls on Congress to enact tax reform that is comprehensive, restores tax rate parity for all businesses and reduces or eliminates the double tax imposed on corporations.
“Almost 80 percent of AIA members are small businesses,” said AIA President Russ Davidson, FAIA. “Any attempt to reform the tax code must protect such small businesses and restore rate parity between corporations and so-called pass-through businesses that contribute more than 50 percent of business income to America’s economy.”
“The AIA is proud to be a part of the PMSE as well as serve on its steering committee,” Davidson said.
The letter closes, “By embracing these broad concepts, Congress can move the taxation of business income in a direction that helps all employers, regardless of how they are organized, to invest and create jobs here in America.”
About The American Institute of Architects Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.
About Parity for Main Street Employers Parity for Main Street Employers represents more than one hundred national business groups representing millions of Main Street employers. The coalition’s Steering Committee is made up of eight national trade groups – American Council of Engineering Companies, American Institute of Architects, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, Independent Community Bankers of America, National Beer Wholesalers Association, National Roofing Contractors Association, S Corporation Association, and National Association of Wholesalers – while the general membership is made up of groups that have signed the letter outlining the three principles they believe tax reform should follow – comprehensive, restore rate parity, and reduce or eliminate the corporate double tax.
