In the letter dated June 13, Rehr and Wiles stressed the significance of passage of H.R. 8, the “Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2003,” and reiterated that permanent repeal of the death tax is a top priority for NBWA and ABL members. A vote on H.R. 8 has been placed on the House calendar for Wednesday, June 18.

The onerous and unfair nature of the death tax discourages small business growth, penalizes success, presents excessive costs in the form of legal, accounting and insurance expenses, and threatens the economic security of small business owners and their employees.

“Due to death tax obligations, liquidation of small and family-owned businesses is too often the only choice for family members who have worked to create and grow a viable business to provide financial security for future generations,” they wrote. “When family businesses are forced to liquidate, jobs are lost along with the economic stability of those who rely on that business operation.”

Rehr and Wiles also added that small businesses largely bear the brunt of the death tax burden and are the targeted beneficiaries of permanent repeal.

“Many NBWA members operate small businesses and distributorships that have been in their family since the repeal of Prohibition,” said Rehr.  “Aside from stripping small business owners of their livelihood, this burdensome tax can also cost them their heritage and way of life.”  

Phase out of the death tax was included in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (PL 107-16). However, due to the inclusion of the sunset language, the full impact of the death tax will return in 2011 unless this legislation is signed into law.

NBWA represents more than 2,200 beer wholesalers located in every congressional district across the country.  These small business owners are actively lobbying House members to bring death tax repeal permanency legislation to President Bush for his signature.